Lady-beetles
Guides
Adalia
ladybugs, lady beetles, ladybirds
Adalia is a genus of lady beetles (Coccinellidae) containing two species: A. bipunctata (two-spot ladybird) and A. decempunctata (ten-spot ladybird). These beetles are aphid predators found across the Palearctic region. Both species exhibit color pattern polymorphism and possess alkaloid chemical defenses. A. bipunctata is known to harbor multiple male-killing symbionts including Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma, though symbiont phenotypes vary geographically.
Carinodulinka
Carinodulinka is a genus of beetles in the family Coccinellidae, established by Slipinski and Tomaszewska in 2002. The genus is currently classified as doubtful in GBIF, indicating taxonomic uncertainty or pending revision. No species observations have been recorded in iNaturalist, and little published information is available regarding its biology or distribution. It belongs to the lady beetle family but its precise placement and distinguishing characteristics remain poorly documented.
Chilocorinae
Scale-feeding Lady Beetles
Chilocorinae are a subfamily of lady beetles (Coccinellidae) commonly known as scale-feeding lady beetles. They are specialized predators of scale insects, though some species have been observed feeding on cowpea aphids. Members are typically medium-sized with shiny, often unmarked elytra and rounded, helmet-shaped bodies. They exhibit defensive reflex bleeding when disturbed and may form winter aggregations.
Coccinella
ladybird, ladybug, lady beetle
Coccinella is a genus of lady beetles recognized by their convex, hemispherical bodies and typically red or orange elytra marked with black spots or bands. The genus contains approximately 94 species and occurs throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with greater diversity in Eurasia than North America. Several species, particularly C. septempunctata, are valued as biological control agents due to their predatory habits.
Helesius
Helesius is a genus of lady beetles (family Coccinellidae) containing two described species: Helesius nigripennis and Helesius nubilans. The genus was established by Casey in 1899. These beetles are part of the diverse Coccinellidae family, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Macronaemia
Macronaemia is a genus of lady beetles (family Coccinellidae) containing three described species. The genus was established by Casey in 1899 and was long considered monotypic until additional species were recognized. It belongs to the diverse lady beetle radiation but remains relatively poorly documented compared to more familiar genera such as Coccinella or Harmonia.
Mulsantina
Mulsantina is a genus of lady beetles (family Coccinellidae) native to North and Central America and the Caribbean. The genus was established by Julius Weise in 1906, honoring French entomologist Étienne Mulsant, who had previously described this group under the name Cleis—a name later found to be preoccupied. The genus contains approximately nine species.
Scymninae
Scymnine lady beetles, Minute lady beetles
Scymninae is a subfamily of minute lady beetles within Coccinellidae, comprising at least 170 described species globally. Members are recognized as efficient biological control agents, particularly in agricultural systems. The subfamily is taxonomically diverse, represented by 5 tribes, 15 genera, and 138 species in the Indian subcontinent alone. Species within Scymninae exhibit morphological characteristics distinct from other coccinellid subfamilies, including specific arrangements of coxal lines and genitalia structures.
Scymnini
Dusky Lady Beetles, dusky ladybugs
Scymnini is a tribe of minute lady beetles (Coccinellidae) commonly known as dusky ladybugs. Adults are typically 1–2 mm long with hemispherically domed, densely hairy bodies. The tribe has been synonymized with Coccidulini under modern classifications. Members are predatory as both adults and larvae, feeding on spider mites, scale insects, whiteflies, and aphids. Many species are economically important as biological control agents of agricultural pests.
Sticholotidinae
Sticholotidinae is a subfamily of lady beetles (family Coccinellidae). Phylogenetic analyses have found that Sticholotidinae is not a monophyletic group, rendering the subfamily invalid as currently circumscribed. The group has been the subject of recent taxonomic revisions, particularly for genera such as Stictobura and Sticholotis. Members of this subfamily are generally small, often flattened beetles with varied habits.
Zilus
Velvethead Lady Beetles
Zilus is a genus of small lady beetles in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as Velvethead Lady Beetles. The genus was established by Mulsant in 1850 and contains approximately 20 described species, with many occurring in the United States. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Coccidulini within the subfamily Coccinellinae. The common name refers to a characteristic velvety or pubescent appearance of the head region.