Harmonia testudinaria, commonly known as the tortoise-shelled ladybird, is a species of ladybird belonging to the family Coccinellidae. The tortoise shelled-ladybird occurs in Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and (via introduction) Hawaii.[1][2][3]
| Harmonia testudinaria | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Coccinellidae |
| Genus: | Harmonia |
| Species: | H. testudinaria
|
| Binomial name | |
| Harmonia testudinaria (Mulsant, 1850)
| |
| Synonyms | |
Description edit
Adult H. testudinaria are beetles about 6 mm long and yellow/light orange with a black net pattern on the elytra.[4][5] There are also two black stripes running across the pronotum.[1] Adults are entirely yellow when they first emerge, developing their black markings later.[1][5] There is some intraspecific variation, with adults from New Guinea generally having elytra mostly of one colour except for a black suture and small black spots at the elytral bases.[2]
The larvae are brownish with some creamy markings, while the pupae are orange-yellow.[1][5]
Habitat edit
This species can be found on the leaves and stems of plants.[3][5]
Diet edit
Tortoise-shelled ladybirds feed on aphids and other insects.[5] One of their prey species is the giant willow aphid, Tuberolachnus salignus.[6]
Life cycle edit
Harmonia testudinaria begin their life cycle as eggs laid on suitable plants. These hatch into larvae, which moult several times before becoming pupae. After a few days, adults emerge from pupae.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Tortoise-shelled Ladybird (Harmonia testudinaria)". www.ozanimals.com. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ^ a b Bielawski, R. (1964-07-12). "A review of the New Guinean species of the genus Harmonia Muls Coleoptera Coccinellidae". Pacific Insects. 6: 5–13.
- ^ a b Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Harmonia testudinaria". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ^ "Let's Talk Ladybird Beetles! | The Seed Collection". TheSeedCollection. Retrieved 2022-09-05.
- ^ a b c d e "Ladybirds in our Catchment". www.moggillcreek.org.au. Retrieved 2022-09-05.
- ^ "Tuberolachnus salignus (Giant willow aphid) identification, images, ecology". influentialpoints.com. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
External links edit
Media related to Harmonia testudinaria at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Harmonia testudinaria at Wikispecies- Gallery of full life cycle
