Brachiacantha
Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836
Spurleg Lady Beetles, decorated lady beetle (B. bistripustulata), white-fronted lady beetle (B. albifrons), Arizona lady beetle (B. arizonica), Barber's lady beetle (B. barberi), Boll's lady beetle (B. bollii), ten-spotted spurleg (B. decempustulata), oak lady beetle (B. querceti), Stephan's lady beetle (B. stephani), t-marked lady beetle (B. tau), turtle lady (B. testudo), ursine spurleg lady beetle (B. ursina)
Brachiacantha is a of in the , commonly known as spurleg lady beetles. The genus contains at least 25 described distributed primarily in the Americas, with many species described in 2014 by Gordon & Canepari and additional species described more recently. Species are organized into multiple morphological groups including the bistripustulata, buckleyi, sellata, juanita, jill, blandula, groendali, debbie, leslie, trimaculata, tucumanensis, bahiensis, and dentipes groups. Several species have established reflecting their appearance or distribution.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Brachiacantha: /ˌbrækiəˈkænθə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Members of Brachiacantha can be distinguished from other by features of the dentipes group and other groups defined by Gordon & Canepari (2014). Specific identification to species level requires examination of male and reference to diagnostic ; a key to all species of the dentipes group has been published. Species within the genus are organized into distinct morphological groups (bistripustulata, sellata, juanita, etc.) based on shared characteristics.
Images
Distribution
Primarily distributed in the Americas. The dentipes group occurs in the Neotropical region. Distribution records include the United States (Vermont, Arizona) and extend through Central and South America. New Neotropical localities have been documented for B. barberi, B. quadrillum, B. subfasciata, and B. tau.
Similar Taxa
- Other Coccinellidae generaBrachiacantha is distinguished by morphological features and male characteristics that define the and its internal groups
More Details
Taxonomic History
The has undergone significant revision, with many described by Gordon & Canepari in 2014. Recent taxonomic work has established new synonyms: Coccinella laevis Thunberg, 1781 () and Brachiacantha decora Casey, 1899 are now recognized as synonyms of B. bistripustulata; B. dentipes americana Leng, 1911 is synonymized with B. dentipes.
Species Groups
are organized into morphological groups: bistripustulata, buckleyi, sellata, juanita, jill, blandula, groendali, debbie, leslie, trimaculata, tucumanensis, bahiensis, and dentipes groups, plus unassigned species.