Ladybugs: Coccinella
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Approximately one dozen ladybug species in the genus Coccinella spread their wings across North America.
Some of those species such as the Seven-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) exhibit traditional ladybug looks.
A European native, the species was introduced into areas of the Northeast United States in the Post-WWII era to fight aphids.
Its range now extends from coast to coast, and it has been identified as a potential cause of native lady beetle population declines, including a relative, the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella novemnotata).
The large seven spots on the wings, and the facial pattern provide good identification clues.
To date, two different subspecies of Three-banded Lady Beetle (Coccinella Trifasciata) are recognized.
The predominantly eastern subspecies, Coccinella trifasciata perplexa, can easily be identified by three dark bands on each elytra.
The western subspecies, Coccinella trifasciata subversa, picture two, often, but not always, has a few small spots on the elytra. The facial pattern serves as the key field identification clue for this subspecies.
© 2010-2011 Patricia A. Michaels