Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
( Coccinella septempunctata )
2012-0212-EB250002-COL00562-Coccinella_septempunctata[1129h34s,F,A,plant-leaf]{EXD}-E.jpg
PHOTO COMMENT
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle adult (Coccinella septempunctata) [11:29 AM]
IDENTIFICATION
Identification:Coccinella septempunctata
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Common Name:Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
Life Stage:A
PHYLOGENY
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Superorder:Holometabola
Order:Coleoptera
Suborder:Polyphaga
Family:Coccinellidae
Subfamily:Coccinellinae
Genus:Cocinella
Taxon Code:COL00562
ITIS TSN#:114347
LOCATION DETAILS
Location
ECI Site#:CAEB250000
RECOGNITION
This lady beetle is as convex as C. californica. However, it has 3 spots on each elytron with 1 additional spot at the base of each elytron which, together, form 1 large spot. The pronotum has 1 large spot on either side. The head has 1 spot on either side of the head.
Body Length
6.5-7.8 mm
BIOLOGY
Importance
It has been repeatedly introduced in the US from Europe to control aphids. This widespread palearctic species was intentionally introduced into N. America several times from 1956 to 1971 for biological control of aphids. A11 of those attempts apparently failed in getting C. septempunctata established, but in 1973 an established population was found in Bergen Co., New Jersey. This population is thought to have been the result of an accidental introduction rather than a purposeful one (Angalet and Jacques, 1975). Since 1973, this species has spread naturally and been colonized and established in Delaware, Georgia, and Oklahoma. (Gordon 1985) It has since spread throughout North America.
Range
Throughout NA and most of the Old World.
Distribution
Throughout North America and most of the Old World.
HABITAT
CREDITS
Photographer
Eddie Dunbar
REFERENCES
  • BugGuide [ IMAGES ]
  • Integrated Taxonomic Information System TSN#114347
  • ITIS

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