Lady beetles (Coccinellidae)

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)

Latest sightings

Illeis galbula (Fungus-eating Ladybird) at Lane Cove, NSW by Hejor1

Harmonia testudinaria (Tortoise-shelled ladybird) at Lane Cove, NSW by Hejor1

Coccinellidae (family) (Unidentified lady beetle) at Lane Cove, NSW by Hejor1

Apolinus lividigaster (Yellow Shouldered Ladybird) at Lane Cove, NSW by Hejor1

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mealybug ladybird) at North Ryde, NSW by Hejor1

Coelophora inaequalis at Lindfield, NSW by Hejor1

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Discussion

AlisonMilton wrote:

23 Jan 2025

Thanks Micahel. @PaulDoy The leaf beetles look very interesting so looking forward to them being reported.

Cleobora mellyi

MichaelMulvaney wrote:

23 Jan 2025

I removed leaf beetle sightings from this record - Paul please put in as seperate records

Cleobora mellyi

AlisonMilton wrote:

22 Jan 2025

@PaulDoy Hi Paul,

Photos 3 and 4 are of a different beetle. Could you please remove and put up as a separate sighting before I confirm this one. Thanks

Cleobora mellyi

MichaelMulvaney wrote:

11 Jan 2025

An Epilachna larvae but not sure which one

Epilachna sumbana

AlisonMilton wrote:

9 Jan 2025

@LyndalT Yes I looked at leady beetles first but couldn't find a match, but there are some leaf beetles that are similar to lady beetles. Don't think it is Coccinella transversal.

Unidentified Lady beetle (Coccinellidae)