The Turtle Vein Ladybug is a tiny Asian lady beetle, only about 0.16 in (4 mm) long, that feeds mainly on aphids and has been studied as a natural pest control in East Asia. Its creamy yellow back carries black markings that vary a lot, from a turtle-shell pattern to nearly all black. It lives in Asia, so you won't normally see it in the US.
Appearance
- Appearance
- Creamy yellow to yellow with black markings on the shield behind the head and on the wing covers. The pattern is highly variable.
Where it lives
- Typical habitats
- Fields
- Grassy areas
- Gardens
- Rice paddy edges
- Range
- Recorded from Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, and Laos, and possibly northeastern India.
Behavior
- Diet
- Mainly aphids.
Life cycle
- Larva
- Larvae grow through four stages. At about 77°F (25°C), it takes only about 12 days to go from egg to adult.
Conservation
- IUCN Red List
- NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
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