High-country Lady Beetle
Coccinella alta
This record describes Coccinella alta (species). Recorded family: Coccinellidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
one of five PARATYPE spmns from Alta, UT in the USNM, Smithsonian Type Locality: Alta, Salt Late Co., Utah
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Coccinelloidea
- Family
- Coccinellidae (Lady Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Coccinellinae
- Genus
- Coccinella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
High altitude in mountains.
Geographic Range
scattered w. NA locality data: c. CA, n. UT, c. CO, sw AB - Map (BG data) three spmns known from AB, including the first and only larva known to science
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Coccinella alta Brown, 1962
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Coccinella alta. 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 High-country Lady Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Abigail Parker; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About High-country Lady Beetle
What is High-country Lady Beetle?
High-country Lady Beetle (Coccinella alta) is a species in the family Coccinellidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is High-country Lady Beetle?
Length 4.8 to 5.3 mm
How do you identify High-country Lady Beetle?
one of five PARATYPE spmns from Alta, UT in the USNM, Smithsonian
Where is High-country Lady Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | High altitude in mountains. |
| Range | scattered w. NA locality data: c. CA, n. UT, c. CO, sw AB - Map (BG data) three spmns known from AB, including the first and only larva known to science |