Kuwana's Lady Beetle
Chilocorus kuwanae
This record describes Chilocorus kuwanae (species). Recorded family: Coccinellidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
can be distinguished from the native congeners by :
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Coccinelloidea
- Family
- Coccinellidae (Lady Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Chilocorinae
- Genus
- Chilocorus (Twice-stabbed Lady Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Introduced from E.Asia (originally to California as Ch. similis Rossi), established across NA
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Scale insects, especially armored scales
Life History
Eggs laid singly under the shell of a scale insect. While small, the larvae feed under the shell; as they mature they develop long spines and feed outside their prey. Pupation inside the last larval skin; adults emerge a week later.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chilocorus kuwanae Silvestri 1909
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Chilocorus kuwanae. 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 Kuwana's Lady Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , Wisconsin Oecanthinancy , v belov , Abigail Parker
Frequently Asked Questions About Kuwana's Lady Beetle
What is Kuwana's Lady Beetle?
Kuwana's Lady Beetle (Chilocorus kuwanae) is a species in the family Coccinellidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Kuwana's Lady Beetle?
3.0‒4.75 mm
How do you identify Kuwana's Lady Beetle?
can be distinguished from the native congeners by :
Where is Kuwana's Lady Beetle found?
Range: Introduced from E.Asia (originally to California as Ch. similis Rossi), established across NA
What does Kuwana's Lady Beetle eat?
The diet of the Kuwana's Lady Beetle includes Scale insects, especially armored scales.
What is the life cycle of a Kuwana's Lady Beetle?
Eggs laid singly under the shell of a scale insect. While small, the larvae feed under the shell; as they mature they develop long spines and feed outside their prey. Pupation inside the last larval skin; adults emerge a week later.