Scymnus apicanus
Chapin, 1973
apicanus lady beetle
Scymnus apicanus is a small lady beetle described by Chapin in 1973. It belongs to the Scymnus, commonly known as dusky lady beetles due to their generally dark coloration. The species is known from North America and has two recognized : S. a. apicanus and S. a. pseudapicanus. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a of small soft-bodied insects, though specific ecological studies are limited.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Scymnus apicanus: /ˈsɪmnəs əpɪˈkeɪnəs/
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Identification
Members of Scymnus are small lady beetles, usually 2–3 mm in length, with oval to elongate-oval bodies. They typically have dark coloration (black, brown, or dark reddish) with reduced or absent spotting compared to the more familiar brightly colored lady beetles. Scymnus apicanus specifically may be distinguished from by subtle characters of the male genitalia and pronotal shape, though precise field identification requires examination. The name 'apicanus' refers to the darkened portion of the .
Distribution
North America. Specific locality records are sparse; the has been documented in the United States but precise range boundaries remain poorly defined.
Similar Taxa
- Scymnus speciesOther small, dark Scymnus lady beetles are visually similar and require careful examination of genitalic structures or other subtle morphological characters for definitive identification. Many Scymnus cannot be reliably separated in the field.
- Stethorus speciesThese tiny black lady beetles (spider mite destroyers) are similar in size and coloration but have different body proportions and ecological associations with spider mites.
- Nephus speciesAnother of small dark lady beetles with which Scymnus may be confused; Nephus often have more distinctly clubbed and different tarsal formulas.