Harmonia testudinaria

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Harmonia testudinaria
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Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
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

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]

Contents

Description

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

This species can be found on the leaves and stems of plants. [3] [5]

Diet

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

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]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Propylea quatuordecimpunctata</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Coccinella transversalis</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Coelophora inaequalis</i> Species of beetle

Coelophora inaequalis, the variable ladybird, common Australian lady beetle or common Australian ladybug is a ladybird species endemic to Australia, Oceania and Southern Asia. The variable ladybird gets its name from the black markings on the adult elytra, that vary from one individual to another.

<i>Harmonia conformis</i> Species of beetle

Harmonia conformis, the large spotted ladybird, is a species of ladybird. It has a light reddish appearance and its colouration includes 20 large black spots, 18 of which are found on the elytra. They are quite large for ladybirds, being about 6–7 mm long. It is a predator of other insects, eating aphids as both a larva and imago (adult). It is found in Australia, and has been introduced to New Zealand, where it is common in northern regions. Another member of the same genus, Harmonia antipodum, also occurs in New Zealand. This species, however, is a native and is much smaller and harder to find.

<i>Coccinella leonina</i> Species of beetle (ladybird) native to New Zealand

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<i>Adalia decempunctata</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Calvia quatuordecimguttata</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Coleomegilla maculata</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Cycloneda sanguinea</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Exochomus quadripustulatus</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Brumoides suturalis</i> Species of beetle

Brumoides suturalis, the three-striped lady-beetle, is a species of ladybird described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1789. It is found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea.

<i>Hippodamia notata</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Psyllobora vigintimaculata</i> Species of beetle

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<i>Harmonia octomaculata</i> Species of beetle

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tortoise-shelled Ladybird (Harmonia testudinaria)". www.ozanimals.com. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  2. 1 2 Bielawski, R. (1964-07-12). "A review of the New Guinean species of the genus Harmonia Muls Coleoptera Coccinellidae". Pacific Insects. 6: 5–13.
  3. 1 2 Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Harmonia testudinaria". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  4. "Let's Talk Ladybird Beetles! | The Seed Collection". TheSeedCollection. Retrieved 2022-09-05.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ladybirds in our Catchment". www.moggillcreek.org.au. Retrieved 2022-09-05.
  6. "Tuberolachnus salignus (Giant willow aphid) identification, images, ecology". influentialpoints.com. Retrieved 2022-09-06.