Biology:Harmonia testudinaria
| Harmonia testudinaria | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Coccinellidae |
| Genus: | Harmonia |
| Species: | H. testudinaria
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| Binomial name | |
| Harmonia testudinaria (Mulsant, 1850)
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| Synonyms | |
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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]
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]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Tortoise-shelled Ladybird (Harmonia testudinaria)". https://www.ozanimals.com/Insect/Tortoise-shelled-Ladybird/Harmonia/testudinaria.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bielawski, R. (1964-07-12). "A review of the New Guinean species of the genus Harmonia Muls Coleoptera Coccinellidae" (in en). Pacific Insects 6: 5–13. https://eurekamag.com/research/037/695/037695289.php.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Harmonia testudinaria" (in en-AU). https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/54ce37e5-5760-4b0f-8358-d7d4265e1d9e.
- ↑ "Let's Talk Ladybird Beetles! | The Seed Collection" (in en). https://www.theseedcollection.com.au/blog/Lets-Talk-Ladybird-Beetles.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Ladybirds in our Catchment". https://www.moggillcreek.org.au/ladybirds-in-our-catchment/.
- ↑ "Tuberolachnus salignus (Giant willow aphid) identification, images, ecology". https://influentialpoints.com/Gallery/Tuberolachnus_salignus.htm.
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q3127512 entry
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