Pine Dusky Lady Beetle © Gilles San Martin
The Pine Dusky Lady Beetle is an introduced species from Europe. Its wing covers are hairy and reddish-brown with an elongated darker patch toward the pronotum. This species is often found around conifers and mixed forests.
Status
Introduced
Last Seen
1976
Fun Fact
The Pine Dusky Lady Beetle is only 1.5 to 2 mm in length.
Identification
Pine Dusky Lady Beetles are 1.5 to 2 mm in length. They are very oblong in form.
- Head: Black.
- Pronotum: Black.
- Elytra: Mostly brown. Elytral margins and suture are often black. The front elytral margins (near the pronotum) have black patches.
- The whole insect is covered in light-colored hairs.
- Legs: Dark brown.
- The underside of the beetle is dark.
- Often confused with: Scymnus fraternus, Tiny Lady Beetle.
Habitat
Coniferous forests, especially Scots Pine in the Pine Dusky Lady Beetle’s native range, and other pine stands. Prefers younger pine forests and forest edges.
General Range
Introduced to eastern North America (north to Nova Scotia through Quebec, south to Virginia through Michigan). Native to the Palearctic.
Food
Pine and hemlock adelgids, mealybugs, other aphids, and scales as well.
Life History
Frequently aggregates and overwinters in the bark of host trees. Little information is available on the life history.
More Information
You can find more information about Pine Dusky Lady Beetles using the following links:
Vermont Distribution
Visit the iNaturalist Observation Map and Occurrence Records to find out where Pine Dusky Lady Beetles have been seen in Vermont.
