Lady-beetle
Guides
Didion longulum
dusky lady beetle
Didion longulum is a species of lady beetle (Coccinellidae) in the genus Didion, characterized by its dull, non-reflective coloration that distinguishes it from the typically bright, spotted lady beetles. The species is native to North America and has been documented in western Canada including Alberta and British Columbia. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to a group sometimes referred to as "dusky lady beetles" due to their subdued appearance. The genus Didion is relatively small and understudied compared to more familiar lady beetle genera.
Didion punctatum
twice-stained miniature, twice-stained ladybug
Didion punctatum is a small dusky lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, native to North America. It is commonly known as the "twice-stained miniature" or "twice-stained ladybug." The species has been recorded in Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. It belongs to the dusky lady beetle group, which are generally smaller and less brightly colored than the familiar spotted ladybugs.
Diomus amabilis
amiable lady
Diomus amabilis, commonly known as the amiable lady, is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is native to North America, with distribution records from Canada including Nova Scotia and Québec. The species was first described by LeConte in 1852. As a member of the genus Diomus, it belongs to a group of small lady beetles that are generally less conspicuous than the larger, more commonly recognized Coccinellinae.
Diomus debilis
lady beetle
Diomus debilis is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852. The species is documented from North America and Oceania, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain sparse. Like other members of the genus Diomus, it is likely a predator of small arthropods, but direct observations of its feeding habits have not been published.
Diomus liebecki
Liebeck's lady
Diomus liebecki, commonly known as Liebeck's lady, is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It was described by Horn in 1895. The species is found in North America, with distribution records from Manitoba and Ontario, Canada.
Diomus terminatus
Firefly Duskyling
Diomus terminatus is a minute lady beetle native to eastern North America, measuring 1.5–2 mm. It has been evaluated for biological control of sugarcane aphids, particularly Melanaphis sacchari and Sipha flava. Laboratory studies confirm its complete development on aphid prey, with a generation time of approximately 12 days from egg to adult at 26°C.
Diomus texanus
Diomus texanus is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is native to North America. The species was described by Gordon in 1976. Very little specific information about its biology or ecology has been documented in the available literature.
Egius platycephalus
Yellow-crested Aegis
Egius platycephalus is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, representing the sole member of the genus Egius. The species is known from both native and introduced ranges, with established populations in Hawaii and the continental United States. It is commonly referred to as the Yellow-crested Aegis.
Epilachna
leaf-eating lady beetles, bean beetles
Epilachna is a genus of leaf-eating lady beetles in the family Coccinellidae, comprising approximately 300 species primarily distributed in the Western Hemisphere. Unlike the predominantly predatory members of Coccinellidae, Epilachna species are phytophagous, feeding on plant foliage rather than other insects. Several species are significant agricultural pests, including the Mexican bean beetle (E. varivestis) and the squash lady beetle. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some species historically placed in Epilachna now assigned to related genera such as Henosepilachna.
Epilachna varivestis
Mexican bean beetle
Epilachna varivestis, commonly known as the Mexican bean beetle, is a phytophagous lady beetle native to the high elevations of western Mexico and Central America. It is one of few North American coccinellids that feeds exclusively on plants rather than other insects. The species became established in the western United States in the late 1800s and spread rapidly across the eastern United States during the 1920s, reaching southern Canada within five years. It remains a significant agricultural pest of leguminous crops, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Exochomus
Exochomus is a genus of lady beetles in the family Coccinellidae, first described by Redtenbacher in 1843. The genus comprises at least 77 recognized species distributed globally. Multiple species have been studied as biological control agents against mealybugs and other soft-bodied pests in agricultural and forestry systems. Research has focused particularly on E. nigripennis in Egypt and E. flaviventris in Central Africa as predators of invasive mealybug species.
Exochomus aethiops
Ebony Shield Lady Beetle, round black ladybug
Exochomus aethiops is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as the round black ladybug or Ebony Shield Lady Beetle. Adults measure 3–4.2 mm in length and are uniformly black with yellowish brown antennae and mouthparts. The species occurs across Central America and North America, with records from South Dakota to New Mexico, west to Alberta and southern California.
Exochomus californicus Casey, 1899
Exochomus californicus is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae, described by Casey in 1899. Adults measure 3.5–4 mm in length and display distinctive coloration with black or brown elytra marked by yellow to orange patterns. The species has been documented across a restricted range in western North America, from Washington through Nevada to northern California. Like other members of Coccinellidae, it is presumed to be predatory, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Exochomus childreni childreni
Exochomus childreni childreni is a subspecies of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, distributed across North America. Members of the genus Exochomus are generally recognized as small to medium-sized lady beetles with somewhat elongated body forms compared to the more rounded Coccinella species. This subspecies belongs to a group of coccinellids that often occupy coniferous and mixed forest habitats. Specific biological details for this subspecies remain limited in published literature.
Exochomus childreni guexi
Exochomus childreni guexi is a subspecies of lady beetle (Coccinellidae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852. It belongs to the genus Exochomus, a group of lady beetles characterized by their elongated body form and often dark coloration with contrasting markings. The subspecies is recognized as part of the North American fauna, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the literature.
Gnathoweisea texana
Gnathoweisea texana is a species of lady beetle (Coccinellidae) described by Gordon in 1985. It is native to North America, with the specific epithet suggesting a connection to Texas. Like other members of its family, it is likely a small, predatory beetle, though detailed ecological studies appear limited.
Harmonia
Greater Lady Beetles
Harmonia is a genus of lady beetles (family Coccinellidae) commonly known as Greater Lady Beetles. The genus includes the widely introduced Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis), which has become established across North America and other regions as a biological control agent for aphids and other soft-bodied pests. Members of this genus are predatory beetles with highly variable coloration and spot patterns. The genus is native to Asia, with some species now distributed globally due to intentional introductions for pest management.
Harmonia dimidiata
Greater Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia dimidiata is a medium to large predaceous ladybird beetle (7.4–10 mm) native to southern Asia with introduced populations in North America. Adults display reddish-yellow elytra with black markings in a thirteen-spot pattern. The species is a voracious aphid predator with documented prey including Rhopalosiphum maidis, Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae, and Aphis pomi. Temperature strongly influences its development, fecundity, and predatory capacity, with optimal performance at 24°C. Males produce yellow reflex blood containing harmonine as both chemical defense and nuptial gift during courtship.
Helesius nigripennis
Helesius nigripennis is a small lady beetle (Coccinellidae) found in western North America. Adults measure approximately 2.45–3 mm in length and exhibit distinctive coloration with a red head and pronotal markings contrasting against black or dark brown elytra. The species has been recorded from Colorado and Montana.
Helesius nubilans
Helesius nubilans is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure approximately 2.8–3 mm in length. The species is known from a limited number of records in North America, specifically Texas. Its small size and distinctive coloration distinguish it from larger, more commonly encountered lady beetles.
Hippodamia
Oblong Lady Beetles, Lady Beetles, Ladybugs
Hippodamia is a genus of lady beetles (Coccinellidae) containing several economically important species. The most common native North American species is H. convergens, which forms overwintering aggregations numbering in the millions and is widely used in biological control. Another notable species, H. variegata, has a cosmopolitan distribution across both hemispheres. Members of this genus are primarily aphidophagous predators valued in agriculture for pest management.
Hippodamia americana
American lady beetle
Hippodamia americana is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure 4.40–5.10 mm in length. The species has been recorded from western and central Canada and the north-central United States, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Wisconsin. Published observations of this species are limited, with only six records documented on iNaturalist.
Hippodamia arctica
Arctic lady beetle
Hippodamia arctica is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae with a Holarctic distribution spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Adults measure approximately 4–4.5 mm and display a distinctive black body with yellowish-red markings. The species inhabits northern boreal and arctic-alpine regions, with records from British Columbia, Labrador, Yukon, Alaska, and across northern Eurasia.
Hippodamia caseyi
Casey's lady beetle, Casey's ladybird
Hippodamia caseyi, commonly known as Casey's lady beetle, is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure 4.80–6.70 mm in length. The species is native to western North America, with confirmed records from British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Alberta. The pronotum sometimes displays pale spots. Like other members of the genus Hippodamia, it is likely a predator of small insects such as aphids, though specific ecological studies for this species are limited.
Hippodamia glacialis extensa
Hippodamia glacialis extensa is a subspecies of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It belongs to a genus widely recognized for its role as biological control agents of aphids and other soft-bodied insect pests. As a subspecies of H. glacialis, it is part of a taxon with a primarily northern distribution. The species H. glacialis is sometimes referred to by the common name 'glacial lady beetle' in reference to its association with cooler, higher-elevation habitats.
Hippodamia glacialis lecontei
Leconte's lady beetle, glacial lady beetle (Leconte's form)
Hippodamia glacialis lecontei is a subspecies of lady beetle (family Coccinellidae) native to North America. It belongs to a genus widely recognized for its role as aphid predators in agricultural and natural ecosystems. The subspecies epithet 'lecontei' honors the American entomologist John Lawrence LeConte. Like other Hippodamia species, it is a generalist predator, though specific ecological studies on this subspecies are limited compared to the well-studied convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens).
Hippodamia lunatomaculata
crescent lady beetle
Hippodamia lunatomaculata, commonly known as the crescent lady beetle, is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is found in western North America, with records from British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, and California. Adults measure 4.15–5.60 mm in length. The species includes two recognized subspecies: H. l. lunatomaculata (restricted to California) and H. l. dobzhanskyi (found across the full range).
Hippodamia moesta
sorrowful lady beetle
Hippodamia moesta, commonly known as the sorrowful lady beetle, is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is native to western North America and is characterized by its predominantly black elytra with a pale marginal spot and body length of 6–7.5 mm. The species includes three recognized subspecies with distinct geographic distributions.
Hippodamia moesta bowditchi
Bowditch's Lady Beetle
Hippodamia moesta bowditchi is a subspecies of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, described by Johnson in 1910. It is native to North America. As a member of the genus Hippodamia, it belongs to a group of predatory lady beetles commonly used in biological control of aphids and other soft-bodied insects. The subspecies designation indicates geographic or morphological variation within the broader H. moesta species complex.
Hippodamia moesta moesta
Sorrowful Lady Beetle
Hippodamia moesta moesta is a subspecies of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is native to North America and is commonly known as the Sorrowful Lady Beetle. The species belongs to a genus widely recognized for its role in biological control of agricultural pests. Limited specific information is available for this particular subspecies.
Hippodamia oregonensis
Oregon Lady Beetle
Hippodamia oregonensis is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure approximately 4–5 mm in length. The species is native to western North America and has been documented in Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. It is distinguished by a black pronotum with yellow lateral and apical borders and elytra bearing black spots.
Hippodamia parenthesis
Parenthesis Lady Beetle
Hippodamia parenthesis, commonly known as the parenthesis lady beetle, is a small lady beetle species native to North America. Adults measure 3.75–5.60 mm in length and are distinguished by spotted elytra with apical spots that are often suffused. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range from Nova Scotia to South Carolina, westward to Alaska and California. As a member of the genus Hippodamia, it is presumed to be predatory like congeners, though specific prey associations for this species are not well documented.
Hippodamia quindecimmaculata
Scarce Convergent Ladybeetle
Hippodamia quindecimmaculata is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae, measuring 5-7 mm in length. It is characterized by pale spots on the pronotum and heavily maculate (spotted) elytra. The species has a limited known distribution in North America, with records from Ontario, Saskatchewan, and several midwestern and southern U.S. states including Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. It appears to be relatively uncommon, with few documented observations.
Hippodamia quinquesignata ambigua
Pacific Five-spotted Lady Beetle
Hippodamia quinquesignata ambigua is a subspecies of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It occurs in western North America, with records from the Pacific region and introduced populations in Hawaii. The species is a generalist predator, feeding primarily on aphids and other small soft-bodied insects.
Hippodamia quinquesignata quinquesignata
Five-spot lady beetle, Five-spotted lady beetle
Hippodamia quinquesignata quinquesignata is a subspecies of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is native to North America, with records from Vermont and Hawaii. As a member of the genus Hippodamia, it shares characteristics with other species in this group, including predatory habits. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader species H. quinquesignata.
Hippodamia sinuata sinuata
Hippodamia sinuata sinuata is a subspecies of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It belongs to a genus containing several species used in biological control of agricultural pests. The subspecies has been recorded from North America and Oceania. Like other Hippodamia species, it is likely a predator of soft-bodied insects, though specific ecological studies for this subspecies are limited.
Hippodamia tredecimpunctata
thirteen-spot ladybeetle, thirteen-spotted lady beetle
Hippodamia tredecimpunctata is a medium-sized lady beetle distinguished by thirteen dark spots on red to orange elytra. It occupies a narrow ecological niche in wetland habitats across the northern hemisphere, where it preys on aphids associated with grasses and sedges. The species has experienced population declines in parts of North America following the introduction of the non-native seven-spot lady beetle.
Hippodamia washingtoni
Washington's Lady Beetle
Hippodamia washingtoni is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure 5.40–6.70 mm in length. The species is known from a restricted range in the Pacific Northwest of North America.
Hyperaspidini
Hyperaspidini is a tribe of lady beetles (Coccinellidae) established by Mulsant in 1846, currently classified within subfamily Coccinellinae. The tribe contains approximately 16 genera, though generic boundaries remain fluid with some authorities treating Brachiacanthini and Selvadiini as synonyms. Species in this tribe are predominantly small, often inconspicuous lady beetles with documented predatory habits on mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) and aphids (Aphididae).
Hyperaspidius hardyi
Hyperaspidius hardyi is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, described by Gordon in 1985. The species is known from California and is notable for its sexually dimorphic coloration, with males and females differing in head and pronotum pigmentation. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Hyperaspidius, a group of minute lady beetles found primarily in the Americas.
Hyperaspidius insignis Casey, 1899
Hyperaspidius insignis is a small lady beetle (family Coccinellidae) native to North America. Adults measure approximately 2.25–3.20 mm in length. The species has been recorded from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Colorado, and Oklahoma. It is characterized by distinctive coloration: a yellow pronotum with reddish-yellow spots, and black elytra with yellow borders and discal spots. The genus Hyperaspidius belongs to the tribe Hyperaspidini, which comprises small, often inconspicuous lady beetles.
Hyperaspidius marginatus
Hyperaspidius marginatus is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, first described by Gaines in 1933. Adults measure 1.75-2.40 mm in length. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in pronotal coloration. It is known from Texas and potentially broader North American distribution, though records remain sparse.
Hyperaspidius venustulus
Eight-spotted Hyperaspidius
Hyperaspidius venustulus is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure approximately 2.80 mm. The species has been recorded from Georgia and is associated with big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides) stands, where it has been found with the mealybug Dysmicoccus dennoi. It is rarely collected and poorly known.
Hyperaspis
Sigil Lady Beetles
Hyperaspis is a genus of lady beetles (family Coccinellidae) comprising more than 100 described species. Members are known as Sigil Lady Beetles. Species in this genus are predatory, with documented associations with scale insects and mealybugs. The genus has a wide distribution including North America and northern Europe, though individual species vary in range.
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 connectens
connected lady, Confluent Sigil Lady Beetle
Hyperaspis connectens, commonly known as the connected lady or Confluent Sigil Lady Beetle, is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure approximately 2.3–3 mm in length. The species ranges from the southern United States through Central America and the Caribbean Islands to northern South America. Like other members of the genus Hyperaspis, it is a specialized predator 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.