Insects
Beetles (Coleoptera)
Lady beetles (Coccinellidae)

Lady beetles (Coccinellidae)

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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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Lady beetles (Coccinellidae)

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Discussion

KimberiRP wrote:
13 Jun 2025
Larva of a Ladybird beetle, family Coccinellidae. It appears to be preparing to pupate on the leaf.
Coccinellidae (family)
arjay wrote:
24 May 2025
Gosh.
Coccinellidae sp01
DiBickers wrote:
24 May 2025
This taxon is yet to be classified. Without being too long-winded, there are many Coccinellidae larvae (across several Subfamilies) which have these long waxy filaments, however, because they have not been raised from larva to the adult beetle they cannot be identified accurately.

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri has become a familiar taxon where many larvae are often misidentified for this reason.

These larvae are distinctly different to Cryptolaemus montrouzieri as the lateral waxy filaments are much longer and they also have an obvious “naked” back.

There has now been a larva successfully raised to adulthood which has the Entomologists excited as they were finally able to link that particular specimen to Telsimia (Genus).

Given that it is known these waxy larvae are across multiple Subfamilies we have grouped them together under “Coccinellidae sp01 (Unidentified Waxy Ladybird Larvae)” until further information comes to light.
Coccinellidae sp01
DiBickers wrote:
12 May 2025
It’s so fun isn’t it @MazzV!! I’m still observing & learning new things every day. There’s always something new to see or an interesting behaviour or interaction to watch😊
Coccinellidae (family)
MazzV wrote:
12 May 2025
Thanks to you, Di, that's more learning under my belt! And I've also just discovered what the larvae can look like. Loving it,

Cheers,

MazzV
Coccinellidae (family)

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