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)

Lady beetles (Coccinellidae)

Featured sightings

Illeis galbula (Fungus-eating Ladybird) at Melba, ACT - 11 Jan 2025 by kasiaaus

Epilachna sumbana (A Leaf-eating Ladybird) at QPRC LGA - 27 Feb 2024 by arjay

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Belconnen, ACT - 26 May 2022 by JohnBundock

Illeis galbula (Fungus-eating Ladybird) at Evatt, ACT - 26 May 2022 by TimL

Latest sightings

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Belconnen, ACT - 21 May 2025 by AlisonMilton

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Braidwood, NSW - 24 May 2025 by MatthewFrawley

Coccinellidae sp01 (Unidentified Waxy Ladybird Larvae) by arjay

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Braidwood, NSW - 17 May 2025 by MatthewFrawley

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Flynn, ACT - 14 May 2025 by kasiaaus

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Russell, ACT - 13 May 2025 by Hejor1

Orcus sp. (genus) (A ladybird) at Queanbeyan, NSW - 14 May 2025 by Hejor1

Illeis galbula (Fungus-eating Ladybird) at Aranda, ACT - 14 May 2025 by lbradley

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Turner, ACT - 26 Mar 2025 by ConBoekel

Coccinella transversalis (Transverse Ladybird) at Fyshwick, ACT - 25 Mar 2025 by ConBoekel

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Casey, ACT - 10 May 2025 by Hejor1

Diomus notescens (Little two-spotted ladybird) at Casey, ACT - 10 May 2025 by Hejor1

Coccinellidae (family) (Unidentified lady beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 7 May 2025 by kasiaaus

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Braidwood, NSW - 4 May 2025 by MatthewFrawley

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Braidwood, NSW - 2 May 2025 by stellabellaxx

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at McKellar, ACT - 1 May 2025 by AlisonMilton

Illeis galbula (Fungus-eating Ladybird) at Fyshwick, ACT - 1 May 2025 by MatthewFrawley

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Evatt, ACT - 28 Apr 2025 by Thurstan

Coccinellidae (family) (Unidentified lady beetle) at Melba, ACT - 24 Apr 2025 by kasiaaus

Harmonia conformis (Common Spotted Ladybird) at Murrumbateman, NSW - 26 Apr 2025 by amiessmacro

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Discussion

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)

DiBickers wrote:

28 Apr 2025

Recently eclosed (emerged from pupal case). Still needs to harden and colour-up. Will be difficult to accurately ID with certainty☹️I suspect it could be Coelophora inaequalis looking at the pronotum.

Coccinellidae (family)