Lady beetles (Coccinellidae)


There are 64 genera and 364 species of Coccinellidae described from Australia (Australian Faunal Directory, 2025)

A guide to the beetles of Australia by G. Hangay & P. Zborowski (CSIRO Publishing, 2010) lists the family's characteristics:

  • body broadly ovate, highly convex, usually glabrous but some finely pubescent, 1-7 mm in length
  • yellow to black, often bicoloured or spotted, some with metallic shine
  • head deflexed, concealed from above by prothorax
  • antennae short, usually 11-segmented, including a 3-segmented club
  • tarsal formula [number of tarsal segments on front, middle and hind legs] 4-4-4, but appears to be 3-3-3 as the third segment is minute and hidden

Adults and larvae of most species are predators of aphids, mealybugs, scales or other small insects and mites. Exceptions are Epilachna species, which are herbivorous on Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae, and Illeis galbula which feeds on powdery mildews (Australian beetles, Vol. 1, eds. J.F. Lawrence & A. Slipinski, CSIRO Publishing, 2013)


Lady beetles (Coccinellidae)

Announcements

Discussion

11 Jan 2025
An Epilachna larvae but not sure which one

Epilachna sumbana
AlisonMilton wrote:
9 Jan 2025
@LyndalT Yes I looked at leady beetles first but couldn't find a match, but there are some leaf beetles that are similar to lady beetles. Don't think it is Coccinella transversal.

Unidentified Lady beetle (Coccinellidae)
LyndalT wrote:
9 Jan 2025
Transverse? Coccinella transversal is?

Unidentified Lady beetle (Coccinellidae)
LyndalT wrote:
9 Jan 2025
Good question. I suggested lady beetle because of carapace colour pattern.

Unidentified Lady beetle (Coccinellidae)
AlisonMilton wrote:
9 Jan 2025
@KimberiRP Hi Kim, Is this a lady beetle or a leaf beetle? Can't find a match so unsure to which catergory to add it.

Unidentified Lady beetle (Coccinellidae)
1,904,751 sightings of 21,315 species from 13,114 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.