Halmus chalybeus
| Halmus chalybeus | |
|---|---|
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| On an oak leaf | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Coccinellidae |
| Genus: | Halmus |
| Species: | H. chalybeus
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| Binomial name | |
| Halmus chalybeus | |
Halmus chalybeus, commonly known as the steelblue ladybird, is a species of ladybird in the beetle family Coccinellidae and the genus Halmus that is native to Australia.[2] Adult and larval steelblue ladybirds eat a variety of small insects including but not limited to scale insects, psyllids, whitefly and free living gall mites (Eriophyoidea).[2]
Appearance
[edit]Halmus chalybeus has a rounded appearance with an iridescent blue/green colouration and is a predator of other insects. It was introduced to New Zealand from Australia in 1899 and 1905 to control black scale and blue gum scale (see scale insect) on citrus trees,[3] where it is now common in northern regions. It has also been recorded eating San Jose scale. They are about 3–4 mm long.[3]
See also
[edit]- Harmonia conformis, the large spotted ladybird
- Illeis galbula, the fungus-eating ladybird
- Two-spotted lady beetle
References
[edit]- ^ "Halmus chalybeus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- ^ a b "Steelblue ladybird - Halmus chalybeus - Interesting Insects". interestinginsects.landcareresearch.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2025-02-01. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ a b Crowe, A. (2002). Which New Zealand Insect?. Auckland, N.Z.: Penguin. p. 47. ISBN 0-14-100636-6.
Further reading
[edit]
- Flynn, Alan Richard. 1995. "Aspects of the biology of the steel blue ladybird Halmus chalybeus (Boisduval) (Coleoptera : Coccinellida)". Thesis (MSc–Zoology (Biological Sciences)) University of Auckland. 105 leaves with illustrations.
- Lo, P. L. (December 2000) Species and abundance of ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on citrus orchards in Northland, New Zealand, and a comparison of visual and manual methods of assessment. New Zealand Entomologist 23: 61–65
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