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Chilocorus cacti
In a water basin there was a small twig with several insects using it as a life raft. I pulled it out it from the water and found this plant ladybug among others insects. About 10 mm long. "Brachiacantha subfasciata has two large irregular red spots. Its small size will distinguish it from other two-spotted black ladybugs such as the Twice-stabbed Ladybird Beetle." (Austin Bug Collection)
Semi desert
Spotted on Dec 16, 2012
Submitted on May 3, 2013
3 Comments
Thank you Abigail Parker for the ID. There were plenty of cactus around.
Also, 10mm is quite large for a lady beetle. Brachiacantha spp. are under 4mm long.
This is in genus Chilocorus. It is probably C. cacti (Cactus Lady Beetle) but might also be C. stigma (Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle.) The two species are only distinguishable by the underside; the underside of C. cacti's abdomen is entirely red, while that of C. stigma is half-red and half-black.