Evergreen Natural History Database

Additional images:
ventral view:
(small file, large file),
tarsus:
small file, large file)

Coccinellidae overview

Identification:
3.3 - 5.4 mm long, 2.2 - 4.0 mm wide. Form oval, somewhat elongate, flattened. Elytral pattern is highly variable- pale yellow with brown maculation, or immaculate. Head with black spot on each side of clypeus. Pronotum consistantly has distinguishing black "M" shaped pattern. Lateral margins of pronotum slightly explanate. Intercoxal process narrow without carina. Postcoxal line incomplete. Middle and hind tibiae with absence of tibial spurs. The incomplete postcoxal line, and absence of tibial spurs are distinguishing characteristics of M. picta. Tarsal claw with small subquadrate basal tooth.

Range:
New Brunswick to Florida, West to Yukon Territory and California (Gordon 1985).

Natural History:
The primary food source is uncertain, but is probably aphids and scale insects.

References:

Gordon, R. D. 1985. The Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) of America north of Mexico. Journal of the New York Entomological Society 93:1-912.

Last updated Friday, July 21, 2006, by Lisa Ferrier