Hyperaspis disconotata © KP McFarland
Hyperaspis disconotata © KP McFarland
Hyperaspis disconotata © KP McFarland
Status
Native
Global Status: No status rank, listed as Vulnerable in New Brunswick.
Last Seen
2021
Fun Fact
The name (both common and Latin) of the Disk-marked Lady Beetle (H. disconotata from Latin discus) refer to the oval, disk-shaped markings on the wing covers.
Identification
The Disk-marked Lady Beetle is 2.3 to 2.8 mm in length. The body is overall elongate in form.
- Head: Black. Male heads may have a pale patch, this is unclear.
- Pronotum: Female pronotum is entirely black. Male pronotum is black and may have a pale margin along the sides, wrapping across the front.
- Elytra: Black, with 5 yellow to orange spots per elytron (10 total across the wing covers). The spots are very elongated, appearing as thin ovals or disks. The basal spots (top of the wing covers, closest to the pronotum and head) on each wing cover nearly touch (see the first photo for reference). Distinct, oval shaped humeral spot (middle of wing covers near the suture where the wing covers close together).
- The whole beetle is finely punctured (appears like it was pricked with a pin many times).
- Legs are orange.
- Often confused with the Octavia Lady Beetle (Hyperaspis octavia), Undulate Sigil Lady Beetle (Hyperaspis undulata), and Ten-spotted Spurleg Lady Beetle (Brachiacantha decempustulata).
Habitat
There is some indication that this species may be arboreal, also found in boreal ecosystems.
General Range
West to the upper mid-western United States, east to the New England coast, and north to Quebec through Alberta.
Food
Likely aphids or scale insects.
Life Cycle
Unknown.
More Information
You can find more information about Disk-marked Lady Beetle using the following links:
- iNaturalist Species Account
- Bug Guide Info page
- Living Atlas Species Profile
Vermont Distribution
Visit the iNaturalist Observation Map and Observation Records to find out where Disk-marked Lady Beetles have been seen in Vermont.
