Eleven-spotted Lady Beetle
Coccinella undecimpunctata
This record describes Coccinella undecimpunctata (species). Recorded family: Coccinellidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
More elongate and less convex than any other species of Coccinella . Head with 2 well separated pale spots ( C. novemnotata has a solid band) Elytral suture red, not or only slightly darker than the pale discal area. Elytron usually with 4 small round spots in addition to humeral and scutellar spot, the 2 submedian spots sometimes joined, the outer humeral spot sometimes lacking earliest record in our area: MA 1912
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
Pacific Northwest Native to w. Palaearctic , adventive elsewhere, incl. NA: OH-NJ-NF-ON, OR-BC ( map ) , currently seems to be restricted to the Pacific Northwest (Smyth et al. 2013)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Coccinella (Spilota) undecimpunctata Linnaeus 1758
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Coccinella undecimpunctata. 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 Eleven-spotted Lady Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Moyer; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , v belov , Abigail Parker
Frequently Asked Questions About Eleven-spotted Lady Beetle
What is Eleven-spotted Lady Beetle?
Eleven-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella undecimpunctata) is a species in the family Coccinellidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Eleven-spotted Lady Beetle?
4.0-5.0 mm
How do you identify Eleven-spotted Lady Beetle?
More elongate and less convex than any other species of Coccinella . Head with 2 well separated pale spots ( C. novemnotata has a solid band) Elytral suture red, not or only slightly darker than the pale discal area. Elytron usually with 4 small round spots in addition to humeral and scutellar spot, the 2 submedian spots sometimes joined, the outer humeral spot sometimes lacking
Where is Eleven-spotted Lady Beetle found?
Range: Pacific Northwest Native to w. Palaearctic , adventive elsewhere, incl. NA: OH-NJ-NF-ON, OR-BC ( map ) , currently seems to be restricted to the Pacific Northwest (Smyth et al. 2013)