Spotless Lady Beetle

Cycloneda sanguinea

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Coccinelloidea
Family: Coccinellidae
Subfamily: Coccinellinae
Genus: Cycloneda
Species: sanguinea

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cycloneda sanguinea: //saɪkloʊˈniːdə sæŋˈɡwɪniə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Cycloneda sanguinea 169606350 by jade fortnash. Used under a CC0 license.

Cycloneda sanguinea larva julio24 by Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Cycloneda sanguinea 172775272 by Kai Squires. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Cycloneda sanguinea by Renaudsechet. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Cycloneda sanguinea (catarina sin manchas) by Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Cycloneda sanguinea 167497886 by Antonio W. Salas. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Cycloneda sanguinea, or the spotless lady beetle, is a widespread ladybird beetle known for its role in biological control of aphids but can be negatively impacted by the presence of other ladybeetle species.

Physical Characteristics

Large ladybird beetle with red, unspotted elytra ranging from 4-6.5 mm long. Color ranges from orange to deep red with white and black marks on the head and pronotum.

Identification Tips

Females have a distinctive black mark in the center of the white zona on the head, while males have a white cleft above the head and a white face.

Habitat

Typically found in plant-dense landscapes, including areas with aphid populations.

Distribution

Southern United States to Argentina, including the Cayman Islands.

Diet

Primarily feeds on aphids, especially those found on milkweeds and other plants.

Life Cycle

Eggs are orange or yellow, around 1 mm in diameter. Larvae are black with yellow markings and can reach up to 6 mm long. Pupae are pale, turning brown or orange, and possess a mechanism known as a 'gin trap' for defense.

Predators

Wider range of natural predators but specific predators not detailed; pupae can defend themselves against specific threats via the gin trap mechanism.

Ecosystem Role

Natural predator of aphids, playing a role in biological control of pest populations.

Economic Impact

Potential to impact agricultural systems positively through control of aphid populations; however, some aphids may be toxic to larvae, complicating their effectiveness as biocontrol agents.

Evolution

The spotless ladybeetle lives in sympatry with Cycloneda galapagensis on the Galápagos Islands.

Similar Taxa

Cycloneda galapagensis

Misconceptions

Not all aphid species are beneficial or non-toxic to Cycloneda sanguinea, impacting its effectiveness as a biocontrol agent.