Halmus chalybeus
Species of beetle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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| Halmus chalybeus | |
|---|---|
| |
| On an oak leaf | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Coccinellidae |
| Genus: | Halmus |
| Species: | H. chalybeus |
| Binomial name | |
| Halmus chalybeus | |
| Synonyms | |
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Appearance
Halmus chalybeus has a rounded appearance with an iridescent blue/green colouration. It 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
- Harmonia conformis, the large spotted ladybird
- Illeis galbula, the fungus-eating ladybird
- Two-spotted lady beetle
