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)
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Discussion
AlisonMilton
wrote:
16 Dec 2025
@MichaelMulvaney Thanks, but the markings look different but I guess there are variations
Rodolia cardinalis
pmillsApio87
wrote:
16 Dec 2025
The green-grey dome-shaped individuals in the images are native mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) however, the white individual is a coccinellid (ladybeetle) larva. Possibly a mealybug destroyer ladybeetle, but there are several species with similar-looking larvae.
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
AlisonMilton
wrote:
16 Dec 2025
@MichaelMulvaney Hi Michael, I looked at this yesterday and looking on iNaturalist, I don't this is right. I think it is more likely Novius cardinalis. See https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1065202-Novius-cardinalis
Rodolia cardinalis
AlisonMilton
wrote:
28 Nov 2025
Hi Landimac, thanks for your sighting. The media you provided is missing. This can sometimes happen. Could you please add your photos again. Thanks.
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