Three-banded Lady Beetle
Coccinella trifasciata
This record describes Coccinella trifasciata (species). Recorded family: Coccinellidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
From Gordon's key to the species , the following features are seen on these beetles: 1) elytra suture reddish, not black or dark brown (excludes C. novemnotata and C. californica ) 2) head pale except for black band across base (male); or dark and with broad pale band between eyes, band rarely interrupted medially (female). (excludes those with head dark with 2 well separated spots on front - including C. transversoguttata, C. septempunctata , and C. undecimpunctata ) considered by New York State to be a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)
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
Geographic Range
Historical Map - Current Map C. trifasciata perplexa - Most of North America north of 40 deg. latitude, except Pacific coast, northern Alaska, northern Canada C. trifasciata subversa - hugs the west coast, CA to BC
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Coccinella trifasciata Linnaeus 1758
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Coccinella trifasciata. 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 Three-banded Lady Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joel Kits; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , Tim Moyer , Abigail Parker , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Three-banded Lady Beetle
What is Three-banded Lady Beetle?
Three-banded Lady Beetle (Coccinella trifasciata) is a species in the family Coccinellidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Three-banded Lady Beetle?
From Gordon's key to the species , the following features are seen on these beetles: 1) elytra suture reddish, not black or dark brown (excludes C. novemnotata and C. californica ) 2) head pale except for black band across base (male); or dark and with broad pale band between eyes, band rarely interrupted medially (female). (excludes those with head dark with 2 well separated spots on front - including C. transversoguttata, C. septempunctata , and C. undecimpunctata )
Where is Three-banded Lady Beetle found?
Range: Historical Map - Current Map C. trifasciata perplexa - Most of North America north of 40 deg. latitude, except Pacific coast, northern Alaska, northern Canada C. trifasciata subversa - hugs the west coast, CA to BC