Octavia Lady Beetle © Karen Bourque
Octavia Lady Beetle © Tom Murray
Octavia Lady Beetle © Tom Murray
Octavia Lady Beetles are very similar in appearance to Undulate Sigil Lady Beetles. There is very little known about the species. More images can be found here.
Status
Native
Global Status: Secure
Last Seen
2021
Fun Fact
Casey, the researcher who described the Octavia Lady Beetle, capitalized “Octavia” in the description, indicating that this Lady Beetle was likely named after someone named Octavia.
Identification
Octavia Lady Beetles are between 2.2 and 2.8 mm long, and are elongate in form. They can be difficult to distinguish from Undulate Sigil Lady Beetles. Octavia Lady Beetles are typically larger and less elongate in form than Undulate Sigil Lady Beetles.
- Head: Entirely black.
- Pronotum: Black, usually with yellow to orange lateral margins (yellow to orange bands on the edge of either side of the pronotum). The margin bands are almost always thicker on the side towards the head, and sometimes appear as spots only on the anterolateral (front) of the margin. The pronotum is slightly punctured – it looks like it was lightly pricked with a pin many times.
- Elytra: The elytra (wing covers) are black overall. There are four yellow to yellow-orange spots on each elytra (eight total spots on the wing covers). On each elytra, there is one spot on the front, outer margin; one spot on the center, outer margin; one spot in the center; and one spot on the end. The elytra are also punctured.
- Legs: Yellow-orange to orange in color.
- Often confused with the Undulate Sigil Lady Beetle.
Habitat
Has been found on Willow (Salix sp.). Has also been reported in meadows.
General Range
Seems to extend south to Mississippi, east to the coast, north into Quebec, and west to Minnesota and Alberta. Range may extend further, no full range map appears to be available.
Food
Likely aphids and other small, soft-bodied insects.
Life Cycle
Unknown.
More Information
You can find more information about Octavia Lady Beetles using the following links:
- iNaturalist Species Account
- Bug Guide Info Page
- Living Atlas Species Profile
Vermont Distribution
Visit the iNaturalist Observation Map and the Occurrence Records to find out where Octavia Lady Beetles have been seen in Vermont.
