Barber's Lady Beetle
Brachiacantha barberi
This record describes Brachiacantha barberi (species). Recorded family: Coccinellidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Gordon's figures Black area of pronotum extending to anterior margin of pronotum, broad anterolateral angle pale Key per Gordon 10a Length less than 3.50 mm; male abdomen with cusps on 3rd abdominal sternum reduced, 4th sternum with equally reduced cusps ( Fig. 468 d ); south Texas .... barberi , n. sp. Brachiacantha barberi Gordon Det. E. G. Riley 2010 10b Length more than 3.50 mm; male abdomen with prominent cusps on 3rd abdominal sternum, 4th sternum without cusps, or if present, reduced; south Texas and elsewhere .... 11 11. Form oval to rounded; elytron with median band composed of connected spots, apical spot present ( Fig. 459 d ), all maculation yellow; south Texas .... decora Casey Brachiacantha decora Casey Det. E. G. Riley 2009
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Coccinelloidea
- Family
- Coccinellidae (Lady Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Scymninae
- Tribe
- Scymnini
- Genus
- Brachiacantha (Spurleg Lady Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
c. and s. TX per spmns in the TAMUIC , but Gordon's Map (triangles) indicates it just occurs along the s. TX coastal plain.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Brachiacantha barberi Gordon 1985
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Brachiacantha barberi. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Barber's Lady Beetle (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , v belov , Abigail Parker
Frequently Asked Questions About Barber's Lady Beetle
What is Barber's Lady Beetle?
Barber's Lady Beetle (Brachiacantha barberi) is a species in the family Coccinellidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Barber's Lady Beetle?
♂ length 3.3 mm, width 2.5 mm; ♀ length 3.1 mm, width 2.3 mm
How do you identify Barber's Lady Beetle?
Gordon's figures Black area of pronotum extending to anterior margin of pronotum, broad anterolateral angle pale
Where is Barber's Lady Beetle found?
Range: c. and s. TX per spmns in the TAMUIC , but Gordon's Map (triangles) indicates it just occurs along the s. TX coastal plain.