Six-spotted Zigzag Ladybird
Cheilomenes sexmaculata
This record describes Cheilomenes sexmaculata (species). Recorded family: Coccinellidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
highly variable, 23 phenotypes this sp. has been on a northward tear from Peru since 2010! In the Americas, C. sexmaculata was first found in Chile in 2000 (González 2008). Since then, it has made its way north: Peru in 2010 (Cornejo and González 2015), Venezuela in 2011 (Angulo et al. 2011), Colombia in 2013 (Kondo et al. 2015, González et al 2024), Ecuador in 2014 (Cornejo and González 2015), and Curaçao in 2017 (Assour and Behm 2019). For Central America, the species was found in 2019 in Panama (Romanowski et al. 2020) while in North America it was found in Mexico in 2021 (Rodríguez‑Vélez 2022). Despite being introduced to the United States (Oklahoma) as a biological control of the aphid Schizaphis graminum (Rondani, 1852), the species has not become established (Cartwright et al. 1977). the most recent record from s. of the border is from Tampico, Tamps, Mex. - Nov 10, 2022
Identification notes
highly variable, 23 phenotypes
Wikipedia reference for Cheilomenes sexmaculata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheilomenes_sexmaculata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Coccinelloidea
- Family
- Coccinellidae (Lady Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Coccinellinae
- Genus
- Cheilomenes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
appears to be quite the generalist
Geographic Range
Adventive from southmost TX (Cameron Co.) to S. Amer. - Map , native to s. Asia: Arabian Peninsula to Japan to Australia
Diet and Behavior
Life History
highly voracious and fecund, and has a wide prey range which includes aphids, coccids, diaspids, aleyrodids, etc. (Mayadunnage et al. 2007) collected on corn ( Zea mays , Poaceae), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor , Poaceae), and sunflower ( Helianthus annuus , Asteraceae) in Honduras
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius, 1781)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Cheilomenes sexmaculata. 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 Six-spotted Zigzag Ladybird (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Six-spotted Zigzag Ladybird
What is Six-spotted Zigzag Ladybird?
Six-spotted Zigzag Ladybird (Cheilomenes sexmaculata) is a species in the family Coccinellidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Six-spotted Zigzag Ladybird?
3 to 4 mm
How do you identify Six-spotted Zigzag Ladybird?
highly variable, 23 phenotypes
Where is Six-spotted Zigzag Ladybird found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | appears to be quite the generalist |
| Range | Adventive from southmost TX (Cameron Co.) to S. Amer. - Map , native to s. Asia: Arabian Peninsula to Japan to Australia |
What is the life cycle of a Six-spotted Zigzag Ladybird?
highly voracious and fecund, and has a wide prey range which includes aphids, coccids, diaspids, aleyrodids, etc. (Mayadunnage et al. 2007) collected on corn ( Zea mays , Poaceae), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor , Poaceae), and sunflower ( Helianthus annuus , Asteraceae) in Honduras