Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Beneficial Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Vedalia beetle

Vedalia beetle

Rodolia cardinalis

A species of Rodolia

The adult has a semispherical body, 2–4 mm long, covered with dense, short hairs. It is reddish-purple with black spots localized in several parts of its body, forming a net of contours between the spots. The head, posterior part of the prothorax across the full width, and the scutellum are all black. There are typically five black spots on the elytron. Four of those are arranged on the dorso-lateral part of the elytron. The two anterior spots form an roughly half-moon shaped oval with the convexity directed towards the suture of the elytron. The two posterior ones make a more irregular shape, formed by the intersection of two circular spots. Finally, the fifth spot covers the length of the elytron's suture, enlarging towards the posterior stretch. The antenna are short and slightly clubbed, composed of 8 items, of which the proximal is markedly pulled aside. The legs have an extended and irregularly flattened tibia, forming a space housing the tarsus when at rest. The tarsus is composed of 3 tarsomeri. The larva is around 5 mm long, reddish as the mature beetle or greyish, with black spots on the thorax. The left side has a series of tubercles, each with short bristles on. The pupa is 4 - 5 mm long. It is a red which darkens with age in as the abdomen darkens.

General Info About Vedalia beetle
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Vedalia beetle
Colors
Brown
Black
Red
Habitat
orchard; near hill and scrubland; grassland; suburban area; agricultural area
Adult Food Sources
Cottony cushion scale insects (icerya purchasi), aphids, soft-bodied insects, insect eggs, mites
Larva Food Source
Cottony cushion scale insects (icerya purchasi), other soft-bodied insects, insect eggs, mites, aphids
Non-poisonous
The Vedalia beetle is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
The Vedalia beetle typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Yes
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of Vedalia beetle
It is widespread to all continents except Antarctica.
Rectangle
Distribution Area of Vedalia beetle
Australia
Rectangle
Life Cycle of Vedalia beetle
Egg At this initial stage, the eggs of vedalia beetle are laid in clusters, typically on a leaf. They are small and oval-shaped, often yellowish to orange in color. During this period, the embryo develops within the egg, preparing for the larval stage.
Larva Emerging from the eggs, the larvae of vedalia beetle exhibit elongated bodies with well-defined segments. Often voracious eaters, their size, color, and pattern may change with each molt. They lack wings and the adult's reproductive capabilities.
Pupal The vedalia beetle enters a quiescent pupal stage within a protective casing. In this transitional phase, the insect is immobile and undergoes significant transformation as it reshapes its body, developing wings and other adult structures.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult vedalia beetle's development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
Rectangle
Adult Size of Vedalia beetle
3 - 4 mm
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Vedalia beetle
Vedalia beetle can consume up to 3,000 aphids during its larval stage, significantly impacting agricultural pest populations.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Vedalia beetle
Class
Bugs
Icon allow
Order
Beetles
Icon allow
Family
Ladybugs
Icon allow
Genus
Rodolia
Icon allow
Tips for Finding Vedalia beetle
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Vedalia beetle
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of Vedalia beetle
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas
Rectangle
How Can You Attract Vedalia beetle
To attract vedalia beetle, one can use small fructose-based baits or mimic the presence of prey such as aphids, which are a natural food source for the adult vedalia beetle.
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Vedalia beetle Through Different Life Stages
The larvae of vedalia beetle are voracious predators typically found in areas with ample prey like aphid colonies. They usually inhabit plants infested with their prey, such as garden crops or ornamental shrubs. Adult vedalia beetle, which share prey preferences with their larvae, are often found near similar sites. To search for these stages, inspect underneath leaves and along stems of plants where aphids are present. Pupation for vedalia beetle takes place in a sheltered spot on or near the host plant. When searching for pupae, examine the leaf undersides and crevices of the plant stems, looking for the characteristic pupal case attached to the substrate.
Rectangle
How and Where Can You Find Vedalia beetle at Different Life Stages
Larva Vedalia beetle larvae are often found on the underside of leaves, actively searching for aphids. One can find them by inspecting the leaves of plants, particularly ones infested with aphids.
Pupal Vedalia beetle pupae can be located attached to the underside of leaves or other hidden areas near their feeding sites. Look for them by examining the lower sections of plants in infested areas.
Adult Vedalia beetle adults can be located on or around plants infested with their prey. To find them, search for adults on top of leaves or on flowering plants in gardens, fields, or meadows during suitable weather and time.
Are Vedalia beetle harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Beneficial Effects of Vedalia beetle
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Predators of Pests
Predators of Pests
Stage
Adults, Larvae
Diets
Scale Insects
Vedalia beetle is an efficient predator, hunting primarily during its adult and larva stages. These stages are crucial for feeding themselves and supporting their offspring. They exhibit a particularly voracious appetite for scale insects, a favored meal. In their pursuit of prey, vedalia beetle showcases remarkable hunting skills, utilizing their sensory organs to detect and subdue their victims with precision. The contribution of vedalia beetle in pest management is of great ecological importance, serving as a natural means of controlling pest populations.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
More Insects that are Similar to Vedalia beetle
Orange-spotted lady beetle
Orange-spotted lady beetle

Its livery is black, with elytra adorned with 10 spots, whose color varies from orange yellow to vermilion orange. His body is longer than other species of the genus. Its head is blackish, the forehead largely spotted with beige, shaped like an arrowhead. His eyes are bluish gray. Its conical pronotum is black, the beige spotted flanks, a quarter-circle spot near the head. Its closed elytra form a rounded, shiny dome. Each elytra is adorned with 5 round, variable spots. Some spots can sometimes converge.

Read More
Arrow
Larch ladybird
Larch ladybird

Aphidecta obliterata can reach approximately a size of 3.5 - 5 mm . These tiny beetles have an elongate oval body, with strongly convex elytra, smooth, shiny and densely, finely punctured. Head shows a black arch-shaped marking. Antennae are club-shaped, with 9-11 segments.

Read More
Arrow
Twice-struck lady beetle
Twice-struck lady beetle

Setting twice-struck lady beetle apart is its chameleon characteristic, which enables it to adjust its hue according to the surroundings for effective camouflage. This evolutionary trait equips twice-struck lady beetle as a discreet predator, preying primarily on aphids, thereby regulating their population and preventing plant damage. Twice-struck lady beetle is further integral in pollination services, contributing substantially to local biodiversity. Its life cycle features an interesting diapause phase during winters, conserving energy and ensuring survival in colder climates.

Read More
Arrow
Painted lady beetle
Painted lady beetle

The painted lady beetle (Mulsantina picta) can come in a variety of colors, including a solid red exterior or a pale exterior with dark brown markings. There can be a special pattern on their back, some look like a heart pattern, and some look like a batman logo. It's most commonly found in or near a wide range of boreal forests. It feeds on sap-sucking pests, including aphids and adelgids.

Read More
Arrow
Rhyzobius litura
Rhyzobius litura

Rhyzobius litura is a species of beetle in family Coccinellidae. It is found in the Palearctic It is mainly found in Western Europe, especially in the United Kingdom In the southeast, the area spreads to Bulgaria and Greece. In the East it is partly replaced by the related species Rhyzobius chrysomeloides. The species lives in forests on trees and on various herbaceous plants in places where it is protected from wind and weather.

Read More
Arrow
Round-keeled rhyzobius
Round-keeled rhyzobius

Rhyzobius chrysomeloides is a species of beetle in the family Coccinellidae. R. chrysomeloides is a predatory species, feeding on aphids. R. chrysomeloides can typically be found on various species of trees and garden shrubs, first being recorded in Britain was in 1996 on a pine tree. R. chrysomeloides is visually similar to Rhyzoius litura, but can be differentiated by its broader prosternal keel and the darker, U-shaped markings on its elytra.

Read More
Arrow
Striped Ladybird
Striped Ladybird

Myzia oblongoguttata, commonly known as the striped ladybird, is a species of beetle in family Coccinellidae. It is found in the Palearctic (Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor, European Russia, Caucasus, Siberia, Russian Far East, Belarus, Ukraine, Transcaucasia, Kazakhstan, Middle Asia, Mongolia, North and South Korea, Japan).

Read More
Arrow
Streaked lady beetle
Streaked lady beetle

Myzia pullata, the streaked lady beetle, is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is found in North America.

Read More
Arrow
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow