Hyperaspis
Guides
Hyperaspis aemulator
Hyperaspis aemulator is a small lady beetle in the tribe Hyperaspini, first described by Casey in 1908. Adults measure approximately 2.40–2.80 mm in length. The species is poorly documented, with only one observation recorded on iNaturalist and limited published information available.
Hyperaspis annexa
Hyperaspis annexa is a small lady beetle (Coccinellidae) native to North America, with records from California. Adults measure 2.0–2.75 mm and are characterized by black elytra with two yellow vittae. Males have a yellow anterior pronotal margin, sometimes black. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are notable predators of scale insects, though specific prey relationships for this species remain undocumented.
Hyperaspis bolteri
A small North American lady beetle in the genus Hyperaspis, measuring 3.0–3.25 mm. Distinguished by a highly distinctive color pattern and an extremely dull pronotal surface. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a predator of scale insects, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Hyperaspis brunnescens
Hyperaspis brunnescens is a small species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, described by Dobzhansky in 1941. It is native to North America and has been recorded from Illinois and Nova Scotia. Adults measure approximately 2.30–2.50 mm in length. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in pronotum coloration: males have a dull yellow pronotum, while females have a brownish black pronotum with a faint yellow lateral border. The elytra are brownish black with two longitudinal vittae (stripes).
Hyperaspis cincta
Corona Sigil Lady Beetle
Hyperaspis cincta is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae, measuring approximately 2.0–2.6 mm in length. It is native to western North America, with confirmed records from California and Utah. Adults are distinguished from the similar Hyperaspis inflexa by their wider marginal vitta on the elytra. The genus Hyperaspis includes species known as predatory biocontrol agents of scale insects.
Hyperaspis conspirans
Hyperaspis conspirans is a small predatory lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure approximately 1.90–2.30 mm in length. Males have a black pronotum with a yellow lateral area, while females show a slightly reddened yellow area on the pronotum. The elytra bear three yellow spots. The species is known from Arizona and Texas in southwestern North America. Like other members of the genus Hyperaspis, larvae are covered in white wax secreted from lateral glands, which serves as protection against ants and other predators while hunting scale insects.
Hyperaspis conviva
Hyperaspis conviva is a small lady beetle native to North America. Adults measure 2.70–3.80 mm and display a black body with red spot patterning similar to Hyperaspis signata. The species is a specialized predator of scale insects, with larvae producing a distinctive white waxy coating that serves as camouflage and protection against ants and other predators. The waxy larvae are frequently mistaken for mealybugs, leading to unnecessary mortality from insecticide applications.
Hyperaspis cruenta
bloody lady beetle
Hyperaspis cruenta, commonly known as the bloody lady beetle, is a small predatory lady beetle native to North America. Adults measure approximately 2.50–2.65 mm in length and exhibit sexual dimorphism in pronotum coloration. The species is known from Texas and New Mexico, with limited documented observations. Like other Hyperaspis species, it likely preys on scale insects, though specific dietary records for this species are sparse.
Hyperaspis disconotata
disk-marked lady beetle
Hyperaspis disconotata, commonly known as the disk-marked lady beetle, is a small predatory beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure approximately 2.30–2.80 mm in length and are characterized by five yellow spots on the elytra. The species is native to North America, with records from Alberta, Quebec, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin. As a member of the Hyperaspis genus, it is a specialized predator of scale insects, contributing to biological control of these plant pests.
Hyperaspis disrupta
Hyperaspis disrupta is a small lady beetle native to southwestern North America. Adults measure 1.60–1.80 mm and are distinguished by yellow anterior and lateral borders on the pronotum in males, with elytra bearing discal and apical spots. The species is a specialist predator of scale insects. Its larvae are covered in white waxy secretions that serve as camouflage and protection against ant attacks, making them frequently mistaken for mealybugs or other pests.
Hyperaspis dobzhanskyi
Dobzhansky's lady beetle
Hyperaspis dobzhanskyi is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae, known from Arizona in the southwestern United States. Adults measure approximately 2.45 mm in length. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are notable for producing waxy secretions that camouflage them among scale insects, their primary prey. Like other Hyperaspis species, it likely serves as a biological control agent of scale insect pests.
Hyperaspis gemma Casey, 1899
Hyperaspis gemma is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae native to southwestern North America. Adults measure 2.20–2.80 mm and exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism in pronotal coloration. The species belongs to a genus known for predation on scale insects, though specific ecological details for H. gemma remain limited.
Hyperaspis inedita
Hyperaspis inedita is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure 2.65–3 mm in length. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in pronotal coloration: males have a yellow anterior margin and lateral area on the pronotum, while females have a black anterior margin with a yellow lateral area. A red spot is present on each elytron. The species is found in the southeastern and central United States.
Hyperaspis jovialis
Jovial Sigil Lady Beetle
Hyperaspis jovialis is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, known from western North America. Adults measure 2.40–2.80 mm and exhibit sexual dimorphism in pronotum coloration. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are specialized predators of scale insects, often producing waxy coatings for camouflage and protection. Adults display variable elytral color patterns ranging from black with orange spots to orange with black markings.
Hyperaspis medialis
medial lady beetle
Hyperaspis medialis, the medial lady beetle, is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure approximately 2–2.5 mm in length. The species is native to North America and has been recorded from Arizona and Texas. Like other members of the genus Hyperaspis, it is a predator of scale insects. The larvae are covered in white waxy secretions that serve as camouflage and protection against predators.
Hyperaspis nigrosuturalis
Hyperaspis nigrosuturalis is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults reach approximately 3.40 mm in length. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration: males have yellow heads and yellow lateral margins on the pronotum, while females have black heads and entirely black pronota. The elytra are red with black margins in both sexes. It is native to North America, with records from Florida.
Hyperaspis ornatella
Hyperaspis ornatella is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure approximately 2.4–2.6 mm in length. Males have a yellow head and pronotum with a large rectangular black medial area; females have a black head and similar pronotal pattern. The elytra are black with yellow spots. The species name derives from Latin ornamentum, referencing its distinctive color pattern. The species is known from Florida and is part of a genus whose larvae are important biological control agents of scale insects.
Hyperaspis pinguis
Hyperaspis pinguis is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure approximately 3.30–3.50 mm in length. The species is known from Arizona in North America and is closely related to Hyperaspis lateralis, from which it can be distinguished by specific pronotal coloration patterns. Like other members of the genus Hyperaspis, this species is a predator of scale insects and likely contributes to biological control of these pests in its native range.
Hyperaspis pleuralis
Side-spotted Sigil Lady Beetle
Hyperaspis pleuralis is a small lady beetle native to western North America, measuring 1.95–2.85 mm in length. Males are distinguished by yellow coloration on the lateral and anterolateral areas of the pronotum. The species exhibits typical Hyperaspis biology: larvae produce a white waxy coating that camouflages them among scale insects while providing protection from predators and ants. Both larvae and adults are specialized predators of scale insects, making them valuable biological control agents in natural and ornamental ecosystems.
Hyperaspis postica
postica lady beetle
Hyperaspis postica, the postica lady beetle, is a small North American lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure 2.30–3.10 mm in length. The species is distinguished by a single apical spot on each elytron that varies in size and shape. It occurs from British Columbia to southern California, with additional records from Alberta, Arizona, and Colorado. Like other Hyperaspis species, it is likely a predator of scale insects.
Hyperaspis proba
esteemed lady beetle, esteemed sigil lady beetle
Hyperaspis proba, commonly known as the esteemed lady beetle, is a small species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is native to North America with a recorded range extending from Maine to South Carolina and westward to South Dakota and western Texas. Adults measure approximately 2–3 mm in length and exhibit sexual dimorphism in pronotal coloration.
Hyperaspis schaefferi
Schaeffer's lady beetle, Schaeffer's Coastal Lady Beetle
Hyperaspis schaefferi is a small lady beetle (Coccinellidae) known from North America, with records primarily from Texas. Adults measure 2.20–2.75 mm in length. The species is distinguished from the similar Hyperaspis caseyi by having an incomplete lateral vitta on the elytron. As a member of the genus Hyperaspis, it is likely a predator of scale insects, though specific ecological data for this species are limited.
Hyperaspis taeniata
Ribboned lady beetle, Ribboned Sigil Lady Beetle
Hyperaspis taeniata, known as the ribboned lady beetle, is a small predatory beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure 2.2–3 mm in length. Males are distinguished by a yellow lateral border on the pronotum. The species is native to western North America, with confirmed records from California, Arizona, and Utah. Like other Hyperaspis species, it is a specialist predator of scale insects and their eggs.