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Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
Minusculus bug... Harmonia axyridis is a "typical" coccinellid beetle in shape and structure, being domed and having a "smooth" transition between its elytra (wing coverings), pronotum and head. It occurs in three main color forms: red or orange with black spots (known as form succinea); black with four red spots (form spectabilis); and black with two red spots (form conspicua). However, numerous other forms have also been recorded, particularly in the native range. The beetle is typically large for a coccinellid (5.5–8.5 mm long) and even more dome-shaped than native European species.
It is native to eastern Asia, but has been introduced to North America and Europe to control aphids and scale insects. It is now common, well known and spreading in those regions, and has also established in South Africa and widely across South America.
Spotted on Apr 10, 2013
Submitted on Apr 10, 2013
6 Comments
Saw few of them today as well as the regular 7spotted ladybird and all were too small, this winter was just too long for them :/
Yes, that's possible. Variation in size within a beetle species is largely due to the larva's diet.
:( Really, does that mean that larvae hadn't enough food because they became so little?
Only larvas grow - they don't grow once they pupate and reach adult stage - this is as big as it will ever be.
Nooo larvas look like alligators but this is just a young bug cause is the 3rd of a size of a regular ladybird :) I know it looked like Harmonia 2me2 but I wasn't sure...
Nice find! This is an adult beetle. The "babies" look a bit like mini alligators (there are photos on the Wikipedia page).
It looks like Harmonia axyridis to me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonia_ax...