Adelgid-predator
Guides
Aphidecta
larch ladybird, larch ladybug
Aphidecta is a genus of Coccinellidae (ladybird beetles) containing at least one well-documented species, A. obliterata, commonly known as the larch ladybird. Members are specialized predators of conifer-infesting adelgids and aphids. The genus has been the subject of biological control research, particularly for management of balsam woolly aphid.
Aphidecta obliterata
larch ladybird, larch ladybug, Larch Lady Beetle
Aphidecta obliterata is a small ladybird beetle (3.5–5 mm) native to Europe, with introduced populations in North America. It is a specialized predator of conifer-infesting aphids and adelgids, particularly associated with spruce and larch. The species exhibits remarkable color polymorphism, ranging from tan to brown with pinkish tints to nearly black. Multiple unsuccessful attempts were made to introduce it to eastern Canada as a biological control agent for the balsam woolly aphid (Adelges piceae) beginning in 1941. Females demonstrate sophisticated oviposition behavior, using conspecific larval tracks and egg-surface chemicals to avoid sites with high cannibalism risk.
Chamaemyiidae
silver flies, aphid flies
Chamaemyiidae is a small family of acalyptrate flies comprising fewer than 200 described species worldwide. Adults are minute (1–5 mm), typically greyish, and morphologically characterized by reduced bristling. Larvae are active predators of Sternorrhyncha, particularly aphids, adelgids, and scale insects, making several species valuable biological control agents. The family has been deployed in classical biological control programs targeting invasive pests such as the hemlock woolly adelgid and pink hibiscus mealybug. Fossil records are sparse but extend to the Eocene.
Hemerobius stigma
brown pine lacewing
Hemerobius stigma is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae. It is commonly known as the brown pine lacewing. The species has a Holarctic distribution, occurring in Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. It was introduced to New Zealand in 1935 as a biological control agent for adelgids on pine plantations but failed to establish.
Laricobius
Laricobius is a Holarctic genus of small predatory beetles in the family Derodontidae, comprising approximately 23 described species. Unlike other Derodontidae genera that feed on fungi, Laricobius species are specialized predators of adelgids (Adelgidae), aphid-like insects that infest conifers. Several species, notably L. nigrinus from western North America and L. osakensis from Japan, have been released as biological control agents against the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) in eastern North America. The genus exhibits two distinct morphological groups: a southeastern Asian/Himalayan group with shortened bodies and narrow pronota lacking explanate margins, and a more widespread Holarctic group with elongate bodies and transverse, fully explanate pronota.
Laricobius erichsonii
Laricobius erichsonii is a small predatory beetle in the family Derodontidae, native to Europe and the sole European representative of the genus. It has been introduced to North America as a biological control agent for the balsam woolly aphid (Adelges piceae), with releases in eastern Canada since 1933 and in Oregon and Washington from 1957–1960. The species is one of the more numerous predators of A. piceae in its native range. It belongs to the widespread Holarctic group within Laricobius, characterized by an elongate body and transverse, fully explanate pronotum.
Laricobius rubidus
Laricobius rubidus is a native North American beetle in the family Derodontidae, commonly known as tooth-necked fungus beetles. It is a predator of adelgids (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), specifically feeding on pine bark adelgid and balsam woolly adelgid. The species has gained attention in biological control research due to its potential hybridization with Laricobius nigrinus, a congener being deployed against the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid. Its native range spans eastern North America.
Leucopis
silver flies
Leucopis is a genus of predatory flies in the family Chamaemyiidae comprising at least 40 described species. Commonly known as silver flies, these insects are specialized predators of adelgids (woolly aphids), with several species under active investigation and release as biological control agents for invasive forest pests. Species such as Leucopis argenticollis and L. piniperda from the Pacific Northwest are being deployed against the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) in eastern North America, while L. obscura has been documented as a predator of the balsam woolly aphid (Adelges piceae) in Maine.
Mulsantina picta
Painted Lady Beetle, Pine Lady Beetle
Mulsantina picta is a small lady beetle native to North America, commonly found in pine forest habitats across the United States and southern Canada. The species is a specialized predator of aphids and adelgids associated with conifers. Adults measure 3.3–5.3 mm in length and exhibit variable elytral patterning. The species has been observed to dominate in older pine stands despite low aphid densities in these habitats.
Sasajiscymnus tsugae
hemlock woolly adelgid lady beetle
Sasajiscymnus tsugae is a small black lady beetle native to Japan that was introduced to eastern North America as a biological control agent against the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae). First described in 1997 and released in the United States beginning in 1995, this predator has established populations in forest and urban environments. The species exhibits high host specificity, feeding primarily on three adelgid species. Field studies demonstrated 47–88% reduction in adelgid densities within five months of beetle introduction.
Scymnus coniferarum
conifer lady beetle
Scymnus coniferarum is a small predatory lady beetle native to western North America. It has been studied as a potential biological control agent for the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), an invasive pest of eastern hemlock in eastern North America. Field studies in Washington State indicate it feeds on multiple adelgid species across different conifer hosts, with higher abundance observed on pine adelgids than on hemlock woolly adelgid.