Zilus horni

Gordon, 1985

Eastern Velvethead Ladybug

Zilus horni is a minute in the , measuring approximately 1.40–1.60 mm in length. The is to eastern North America, with records from Maryland to Florida and west to Wisconsin and Louisiana. It was described by Gordon in 1985 and named in honor of George H. Horn. The specific epithet commemorates Horn's contributions to coleopterology.

Zilus horni by (c) Zachary Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zachary Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Zilus horni: /ˈziː.lʊs ˈhɔːrn.iː/

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Identification

Distinguished from other North by its exceptionally small size (under 2 mm) and the combination of a black body with yellowish appendages. The Zilus is separated from similar small by subtle structural features of the and male ; identification to level requires examination of these characters.

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Appearance

are minute , 1.40–1.60 mm in length. The body is black. , mouthparts, and legs are yellowish .

Distribution

Eastern North America: recorded from Maryland south to Florida, west to Wisconsin, and from Louisiana.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Zilus speciesSimilar minute size and dark coloration; require genitalic dissection for definitive separation
  • Small Stethorus speciesComparable size and black coloration, but Stethorus often have more rounded body form and different tarsal structure

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Etymology

Named in honor of George H. Horn (1840–1897), a prominent who made significant contributions to the study of , particularly the of North American .

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