Hyperaspis rotunda

Casey, 1899

Hyperaspis rotunda is a small lady beetle in the Coccinellidae, first described by Casey in 1899. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Texas. The species belongs to a whose members are known as specialized of scale insects.

Hyperaspis rotunda 388441146 by Sam Kieschnick. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hyperaspis rotunda: /haɪˈpɪərəspɪs roʊˈtʌndə/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Hyperaspis by the specific pattern of two yellow spots on each and the lateral yellow marking on the black pronotum. The small size (under 3 mm) and compact body shape are consistent with the . Accurate identification to species level may require examination of genitalic characters or comparison with .

Images

Appearance

measure 2.20–2.80 mm in length. The pronotum is black with a lateral yellow area. Each bears two yellow spots.

Distribution

Recorded from North America, specifically from Texas. Distribution details beyond this single state record are not documented in available sources.

Similar Taxa

Other Hyperaspis speciesShare the same and general body plan of small, often spotted lady beetles. Many Hyperaspis have similar color patterns of black with yellow or red markings, requiring careful examination of spot number, position, and pronotal pattern for separation.

More Details

Taxonomic note

The specific epithet 'rotunda' refers to the rounded body shape characteristic of this . The species was described by Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr., a prolific American coleopterist, in 1899.

Data limitations

This is poorly represented in collections and literature. Only five observations are recorded in iNaturalist, and detailed biological information appears to be lacking from published sources.