| Hyperaspis trifurcata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Coccinellidae |
| Genus: | Hyperaspis |
| Species: | H. trifurcata |
| Binomial name | |
| Hyperaspis trifurcata Schaeffer, 1905 | |
| Synonyms | |
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Hyperaspis trifurcata, also known as the trident lady beetle, is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is found in North America, [1] [2] [3] where it has been recorded from Mexico (Durango), Arizona and Texas. It has been deliberately introduced as a biological control agent in Israel, targeting invasive populations of Dactylopius opuntiae, [4] and has recently been recorded in Jordan. [5] Both larvae and adults are specialist predators of the cochineal scale (Dactylopius spp.), which feeds on prickly pear cacti of the genus Opuntia . [6] The larval and pupal stages are parasitized by the encyrtid wasp Homalotylus cockerelli . [7] Females lay their eggs in the wax secreted by cochineal scales to conceal them from parasites, where the larvae continue to shelter after hatching. [8] [9] The gut microbiome of H. trifurcata has been shown to contain bacteria which may aid in the digestion of carminic acid, a toxic substance found in the cochineal scale's hemolymph. [10] The beetles also appropriate carminic acid to deter predation by ants, lending the larvae a red color. [11]