Lady-beetle
Guides
Neoharmonia venusta ampla
V-marked Lady Beetle
Neoharmonia venusta ampla is a subspecies of lady beetle (Coccinellidae) distinguished by its striking metallic blue elytra and orange pronotum. This subspecies has a restricted range in the southwestern United States, occurring from central Arizona to south Texas. It is not commonly encountered in the field. The species name 'venusta' refers to its beautiful appearance, while 'ampla' denotes this larger, more western subspecies.
Neoharmonia venusta venusta
V-marked Lady Beetle
Neoharmonia venusta venusta is a subspecies of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. The nominate subspecies is characterized by distinctive coloration including a metallic blue elytra with an orange or reddish pronotum, creating a striking V-shaped or contrasting pattern. It occurs in North America, with records spanning multiple regions. Like other lady beetles, it is a predator of soft-bodied insects. The species has been documented through citizen science platforms and appears to be encountered regularly enough to have accumulated several hundred observations.
Nephaspis
minute lady beetles
Nephaspis is a genus of minute lady beetles in the family Coccinellidae. Species within this genus are specialized predators of whiteflies, particularly Bemisia argentifolii, and have been extensively studied as biological control agents. The genus was established by Casey in 1899. Many species formerly placed in Nephaspis have been reclassified to Clitostethus. The best-studied species, N. oculatus, exhibits a Type II functional response to prey density and completes development from egg to adult in approximately 24 days at 26°C.
Nephus atramentarius
dusky lady beetle
Nephus atramentarius is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae. It was originally described as Scymnobius atramentarius by Boheman in 1859. The species is found in North America. It belongs to the genus Nephus, which contains minute lady beetles often associated with scale insects.
Nephus binaevatus
Dusky Lady Beetle
Nephus binaevatus is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as the Dusky Lady Beetle. The genus Nephus comprises diminutive lady beetles, many of which are associated with scale insects and mealybugs as prey. This species has a notably broad geographic distribution spanning Africa, North America, and Oceania, suggesting either natural dispersal capabilities or human-mediated spread. The specific epithet 'binaevatus' refers to two spots or markings, though the exact pattern requires verification from specimen examination.
Nephus flavifrons
yellow-fronted lady beetle
Nephus flavifrons, commonly known as the yellow-fronted lady beetle, is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It belongs to a genus of dusky lady beetles characterized by their diminutive size and often subtle coloration compared to more conspicuous lady beetles. The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the northeastern United States.
Nephus georgei
George's lady beetle, Farmer's lady beetle
Nephus georgei is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as George's lady beetle or Farmer's lady beetle. It belongs to the genus Nephus, a group of dusky lady beetles characterized by their diminutive size and often subdued coloration compared to the brightly patterned lady beetles of the genus Coccinella. The species is known from limited records in North America.
Nephus intrusus
Nephus intrusus is a small dusky lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, first described by Horn in 1895. The species was formerly classified under the genus Scymnobius but is currently placed in Nephus. It is known from limited observations in North America, with documented records from Ontario, Canada. Like other members of the subfamily Scymninae, it likely preys on scale insects and mealybugs, though specific ecological studies are sparse.
Nephus sordidus
Little Brown Mealybug Destroyer, Sordid Ladybug
Nephus sordidus is a small dusky lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Commonly known as the little brown mealybug destroyer or sordid ladybug, this species is found in North America. It belongs to the genus Nephus, a group of minute lady beetles often associated with scale insects and mealybugs. The species was originally described by Horn in 1895 and has been documented in Canadian provinces including Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
Nephus timberlakei
dusky lady beetle
Nephus timberlakei is a species of dusky lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It was described by Gordon in 1985 and is found in North America. The species belongs to the genus Nephus, a group of small lady beetles often referred to as dusky lady beetles due to their typically subdued coloration compared to the brightly colored Coccinellinae.
Nipus
Nipus is a genus of lady beetles in the family Coccinellidae, established by Casey in 1899. The genus comprises at least four described species distributed in North America: N. biplagiatus and N. niger (both described by Casey, 1899), and N. occiduus and N. planatus (both described by Gordon, 1970). These beetles are part of the diverse Coccinellidae family, which includes many species valued for predation on pest insects.
Novius virginalis
Native Anovia
Novius virginalis is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, measuring 2.43–3.05 mm in length. The species was formerly classified under the genus Anovia, and is distinguished by its red body with dark markings on the head, pronotum, and elytra. It occurs in the southwestern United States.
Olla
Lady beetle
Olla is a genus of lady beetles (Coccinellidae) in the subfamily Coccinellinae. Members of this genus are predatory beetles known for their role in biological control of pest insects. The genus includes species such as Olla v-nigrum, commonly known as the ash-gray lady beetle.
Paranaemia vittigera
Broad-striped Lady Beetle
Paranaemia vittigera, the broad-striped lady beetle, is the sole described species in the genus Paranaemia. It is native to western North America and has been introduced to Hawaii. Unlike the familiar spotted ladybugs, this species displays longitudinal stripes rather than spots. It preys on aphids and has been documented visiting flowers, particularly the California poppy.
Psyllobora schwarzi
Schwarz's Fairy Lady Beetle
Psyllobora schwarzi is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as Schwarz's Fairy Lady Beetle. The genus Psyllobora comprises diminutive, often pale-colored species sometimes referred to as 'fairy lady beetles.' As of current records, this species has relatively few documented observations, suggesting it may be uncommon, geographically restricted, or underreported due to its small size. It belongs to a genus whose members are typically associated with powdery mildew fungi rather than the aphid prey of larger lady beetles.
Rhyzobius
Rhyzobius is a genus of small lady beetles (Coccinellidae) in the tribe Coccidulini. The genus was established by J.F. Stephens in 1829 (published 1832) and contains approximately 106 recognized species worldwide. Members are specialized predators of scale insects (Coccoidea), particularly armored scales (Diaspididae). Several species, notably R. lophanthae and R. ventralis, have been widely introduced as biological control agents against scale pests in temperate regions globally.
Sasajiscymnus
Sasajiscymnus is a genus of small lady beetles (Coccinellidae) established by Vandenberg in 2004. The genus contains over 100 species distributed across Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Molecular evidence suggests an origin in the Late Cretaceous, approximately 78 million years ago. The genus includes S. tsugae, which has been widely studied and deployed as a biological control agent against the hemlock woolly adelgid in North America.
Scymnus apicanus
apicanus lady beetle
Scymnus apicanus is a small lady beetle species described by Chapin in 1973. It belongs to the genus Scymnus, commonly known as dusky lady beetles due to their generally dark coloration. The species is known from North America and has two recognized subspecies: S. a. apicanus and S. a. pseudapicanus. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a predator of small soft-bodied insects, though specific ecological studies are limited.
Scymnus calaveras
Scymnus calaveras is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae, described by Thomas L. Casey in 1899. The species epithet refers to Calaveras County, California, suggesting a type locality in the Sierra Nevada foothills region. As a member of the genus Scymnus, it likely belongs to the subfamily Scymninae, a group of minute lady beetles often associated with scale insect prey. Published records indicate presence in western North America including British Columbia, Canada, and California, USA.
Scymnus caurinus
northwestern lady beetle
Scymnus caurinus, commonly known as the northwestern lady beetle, is a species of dusky lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is a small predatory beetle native to western North America, with records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. As a member of the genus Scymnus, it belongs to a group of lady beetles generally associated with aphid predation, though specific prey relationships for this species remain poorly documented. The species was described by Horn in 1895.
Scymnus consobrinus
consobrinous lady beetle
Scymnus consobrinus is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as the consobrinous lady beetle. It belongs to the subfamily Scymninae, a group often referred to as dusky lady beetles due to their typically subdued coloration compared to the bright patterns of larger coccinellids. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852 and is known to occur in North America. Like other members of Scymnus, it is likely a predator of small soft-bodied insects, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Scymnus difficilis
dusky lady beetle
Scymnus difficilis is a minute lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, described by Casey in 1899. Adults measure approximately 1.8–2.1 mm in length. The species is known from southern California and is part of the diverse Scymnus genus, which contains many small, often dark-colored lady beetles commonly referred to as dusky lady beetles.
Scymnus falli
Fall's lady beetle, Fall's dusky lady beetle
Scymnus falli is a small lady beetle species described by Gordon in 1976. It belongs to the subfamily Scymninae, commonly known as dusky lady beetles, which are generally smaller and more slender than the familiar brightly colored ladybugs. The species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology remain limited in published literature.
Scymnus horni
dusky lady beetle
Scymnus horni is a small lady beetle (family Coccinellidae) first described by Gorham in 1897. It is classified as a 'dusky lady beetle,' a common name applied to several Scymnus species with generally dark or inconspicuous coloration. The species has a notably broad geographic distribution spanning three distinct regions: Central America, North America, and Oceania. Like other members of Scymnus, it is presumed to be a predator of small soft-bodied insects such as aphids and scale insects, though specific prey records for this species are not documented.
Scymnus iowensis
Iowa lady beetle
Scymnus iowensis, commonly known as the Iowa lady beetle, is a small species of dusky lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded from multiple Canadian provinces including British Columbia, Manitoba, and New Brunswick. The species was described by Thomas Casey in 1899.
Scymnus kansanus
Kansas Lady Beetle
Scymnus kansanus, commonly known as the Kansas lady beetle, is a small dusky lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It was described by Thomas Casey in 1899. The species is recorded from North America, with specific distribution records from Canada (Ontario and Québec) and the United States. It belongs to the genus Scymnus, a diverse group of small lady beetles often characterized by their subdued coloration and association with scale insects and other small prey.
Scymnus loewii
Loew's Lady Beetle
Scymnus loewii is a minute lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as Loew's lady beetle. It is among the smallest members of the family, with adults measuring under 2.5 mm. The species has a broad intercontinental distribution spanning Central America, North America, and Oceania.
Scymnus louisianae
Scymnus louisianae is a small lady beetle (Coccinellidae) described by J. Chapin in 1973. It belongs to the subfamily Scymninae, a group of minute lady beetles often associated with scale insect and mealybug prey. The species is documented in North America with a notable concentration of observations. Like other Scymnus species, it likely serves as a biological control agent for agricultural and forest pests.
Scymnus marginicollis
dusky lady beetle
Scymnus marginicollis is a species of dusky lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, first described by Mannerheim in 1843. It is recognized as a member of the subfamily Scymninae, a group of small lady beetles often referred to as 'dusky' or 'scymnine' lady beetles due to their typically dull coloration compared to the brightly colored Coccinellinae. The species is known to occur across North America with two recognized subspecies: S. marginicollis marginicollis and S. marginicollis borealis.
Scymnus nebulosus
Nebulous Lady Beetle, dusky lady beetle
Scymnus nebulosus, commonly known as the nebulous lady beetle, is a small dusky lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is found in North America and Oceania. The species is part of the Scymnus genus, which includes numerous small predatory beetles often referred to as dusky lady beetles due to their typically dark or dull coloration compared to the more brightly colored lady beetles in other genera.
Scymnus nevadensis
Nevada lady beetle
Scymnus nevadensis is a small dusky lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as the Nevada lady beetle. The species was described by Weise in 1929. It is known from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented.
Scymnus pacificus
Scymnus pacificus is a small lady beetle (Coccinellidae) described by Crotch in 1874. Adults measure approximately 2.0–2.8 mm in length. The species occurs in western North America, with records from California extending eastward to western Texas, Colorado, and Utah. As a member of the genus Scymnus, it belongs to a group of minute lady beetles often associated with scale insect and mealybug predation, though specific ecological data for this species remain limited.
Scymnus securus
Coastal Marsh Scymnus
Scymnus securus is a small lady beetle (Coccinellidae) described by Chapin in 1973. It belongs to the subfamily Scymninae, a group of minute lady beetles often associated with wetland habitats. The species is known from coastal marsh environments in eastern North America, with confirmed records from Ontario, Canada. It is among the less frequently documented Scymnus species, with limited observational data available.
Scymnus semiruber
Scymnus semiruber is a species of dusky lady beetle (family Coccinellidae) described by Horn in 1895. It belongs to the genus Scymnus, a group of small lady beetles often characterized by their inconspicuous coloration and association with scale insects. The species is known from North America, though published biological details remain sparse.
Scymnus suturalis
Pine Dusky Lady Beetle
Scymnus suturalis is a tiny ladybird beetle (2.0–2.5 mm) native to the Palearctic, now introduced to North America. It inhabits coniferous and mixed forests, where it feeds primarily on scale insects (Coccoidea), particularly Chionaspis salicis, and adelgids on pine. The species has been found under bark flakes, in moss on tree trunks, and in conifer litter. Its small size and hairy elytra distinguish it from larger, more familiar ladybird species.
Scymnus tenebrosus
Darkling Lady Beetle, Dusky Lady Beetle
Scymnus tenebrosus is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as the Darkling Lady Beetle or Dusky Lady Beetle. The species was described by Mulsant in 1850. It belongs to the genus Scymnus, which comprises numerous small lady beetle species often characterized by their modest size and subdued coloration compared to the more familiar brightly colored lady beetles.
Stethorus utilis
Stethorus utilis is a minute lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, measuring only 1–2 mm in length. It is characterized by a black body with yellow antennae, mouthparts, and legs. The species is known from the southeastern United States, with records from North Carolina to Florida and west to eastern Texas. Like other members of the genus Stethorus, it is likely a predator of small arthropods, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Zagloba
Zagloba is a genus of lady beetles (Coccinellidae) established by Casey in 1899. The genus contains relatively few described species and is among the less commonly encountered coccinellid genera in North America. Members of this genus are small, dark-colored beetles with reduced or absent spotting patterns compared to more familiar lady beetles.
Zagloba hystrix
Zagloba hystrix is a minute lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae, first described by Casey in 1899. Adults measure approximately 1.45–1.75 mm in length. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Texas. It is among the smallest coccinellid beetles documented in the region.
Zagloba ornata
Zagloba lady beetle
Zagloba ornata is a small lady beetle (family Coccinellidae) native to western North America. Adults measure 1.75–2 mm in length, making them among the smaller lady beetles. The species exhibits variable coloration, with a dark brown to light brown body and distinctive yellow markings on the pronotum and elytra. It has been recorded from southern Arizona and California north to southwestern Oregon.
Zilus aterrimus
Western Velvethead Lady Beetle
Zilus aterrimus is a minute lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae. It is known from western North America, with records from Idaho and Washington south to California and Arizona. Adults measure approximately 1.25–1.60 mm in length.