Harmonia conformis

Harmonia conformis (the large spotted ladybird)[1] is a species of ladybird (the family Coccinellidae). It has a light reddish appearance and its colouration includes 20 large black spots, 18 of which are found on the elytra (wing covers).[2] They are quite large for ladybirds, being about 6–7 mm long.[2] It is a predator of other insects, eating aphids as both a larva and imago (adult).[2] It is found in Australia, and has been introduced to New Zealand, where it is common in northern regions.[2] Another member of the same genus, Harmonia antipoda, also occurs in New Zealand. This species, however, is a native and is much smaller and harder to find.

Harmonia conformis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Coccinellidae
Genus:
Harmonia
Species:
H. conformis
Binomial name
Harmonia conformis
(Boisduval, 1835)

Life Cycle

This ladybird has annual cycle where the duration of each life stages is dependent on the temperature of the environment. [3] Their life cycle begins with the deposit of yellow eggs by the female in an area where there are prey readily available for the larvae once they have hatched.[3] As a larvae, they proceed through four sub-life stages beginning with a form that is dark in color with prothorax and six legs. [3] The second sub-life stage is when the white external spine (scolus) develops. During the third sub-life stage, the larvae develops more coloration and three pairs of legs.[3] The fourth sub-life stage is the further development of coloration and growth of abdominal segments which help the larvae during molting.[3] Once the larvae is fully grown, it attaches itself to a plant to form its pupa. [3]The adults then hatch from this pupa and begin to seek out mates. [3]


References
  1. "Harmonia conformis (Boisduval)". www.ento.csiro.au CSIRO. 2005-07-07. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  2. Crowe, A. (2002). Which New Zealand Insect?. Auckland, N.Z.: Penguin. p. 47. ISBN 0-14-100636-6.
  3. "Factsheet: Large spotted ladybird - Harmonia conformis". nzacfactsheets.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2020-12-16.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.