Loew's Lady Beetle
Scymnus loewii
This record describes Scymnus loewii (species). Recorded family: Coccinellidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
>95% look like this, but Gordon's figures show a few other uncommon forms Det. M. A. Quinn, 2012 Introduced to New Zealand and Hawaii.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Coccinelloidea
- Family
- Coccinellidae (Lady Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Scymninae
- Tribe
- Scymnini
- Genus
- Scymnus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
may be present in agro-ecosystems ( 3 )
Geographic Range
e. US to s.Calif. / Mex. to S. Amer. - Map
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Scymnus loewii Mulsant, 1850
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Scymnus loewii. 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 Loew's Lady Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , v belov , James Bailey , Abigail Parker
Frequently Asked Questions About Loew's Lady Beetle
What is Loew's Lady Beetle?
Loew's Lady Beetle (Scymnus loewii) is a species in the family Coccinellidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Loew's Lady Beetle?
>95% look like this, but Gordon's figures show a few other uncommon forms Det. M. A. Quinn, 2012
Where is Loew's Lady Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | may be present in agro-ecosystems ( 3 ) |
| Range | e. US to s.Calif. / Mex. to S. Amer. - Map |