Cephaloscymnus occidentalis

Horn, 1895

Cephaloscymnus occidentalis is a small lady beetle in the Coccinellidae. measure 1.85 to 2.10 mm in length and exhibit distinctive coloration with a brown body and reddish-brown pronotum. The species has been recorded in western North America from Arizona and California east to Texas, and south into Sonora, Mexico.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cephaloscymnus occidentalis: /seː.fɑ.loˈskɪm.nəs ˌɒk.sɪˌdɛnˈtæ.lɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

are identified by their extremely small size (under 2.1 mm), which is smaller than most North American Coccinellidae. The combination of brown with a reddish-brown pronotum separates it from many other small lady beetles. Examination of genitalia may be required for definitive identification from .

Distribution

Recorded from Arizona to California, Texas, and Sonora, Mexico. Western North American distribution.

Similar Taxa

Other Cephaloscymnus species share small size and may require dissection for separation; C. occidentalis distinguished by color pattern and male genitalia
Other small Coccinellidae (e.g., some Scymninae)Similar size range but generally differ in coloration; many have spotted or patterned rather than uniform brown

More Details

Taxonomic note

The Cephaloscymnus contains small, often inconspicuous lady beetles that are understudied relative to larger, more colorful Coccinellidae. The specific epithet 'occidentalis' refers to its western distribution.