Hyperaspis significans
Casey, 1908
waxy lady beetle
Hyperaspis significans is a small lady beetle native to southwestern North America. measure 2.20–2.65 mm and display distinct in pronotum coloration. The is a specialized of scale insects, with larvae that produce a conspicuous white waxy coating for protection. Like other members of the , it serves as an important agent against pest .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hyperaspis significans: /haɪˈpɛrəspɪs sɪɡˈnɪfɪkænz/
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Distribution
Recorded from Utah, Arizona, California, and New Mexico.
Diet
Scale insects and their , including crapemyrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae) and tuliptree scale (Toumeyella liriodendri). Larvae may consume thousands of during development.
Life Cycle
Larvae develop through autumn, pupate, and emerge as . Adults overwinter in protected locations beneath bark or in leaf litter, returning to -infested trees in spring to lay .
Behavior
Larvae actively move when disturbed, unlike sedentary mealybugs. and larvae hunt scale insects, with larvae chewing holes in waxy sacs to feed on eggs inside.
Ecological Role
of scale insects; important natural enemy and agent.
Human Relevance
Beneficial insect for biological pest control. Frequently misidentified as mealybug pest and killed by applications.
Similar Taxa
- mealybugs (Pseudococcidae)Hyperaspis larvae resemble mealybugs due to white waxy coating; distinguished by rapid movement when disturbed.
- other Hyperaspis speciesShare waxy larvae and -feeding habits; distinguished by spot pattern and distribution.
Misconceptions
Larvae are commonly mistaken for mealybug pests and inadvertently killed with . The waxy coating is protective, not a sign of plant-feeding pest status.