Insect
Variable Ladybird Beetle
Coelophora inaequalisAlso known as Variable Ladybird, Common Australian Lady Beetle, Common Australian Ladybug
Variable ladybird beetles display an astonishing range of elytral patterns, from bright orange with isolated black spots to fused dark bars or almost completely black morphs. Both adults and spiky black-and-yellow larvae are voracious predators of soft-bodied garden pests, devouring dozens of aphids daily. Native across Australasia and the Pacific, they are widely celebrated as effective biological pest control agents in agricultural fields and home gardens.
PredatoryPolymorphicBeneficial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAphids, Psyllids, Scale insect nymphs
Predators
- Insectivorous birds
- Assassin bugs
- Lynx spiders
ThreatsBroad-spectrum insecticide use and competition from introduced ladybirds
HabitatsAgricultural fields, gardens, grasslands, open woodlands, and coastal scrub
Life span1–3 months as an adult
Classification
- OrderColeoptera
- FamilyCoccinellidae
- GenusCoelophora
- SpeciesCoelophora inaequalis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Locating: Inspect fresh growth, bud clusters, and leaf undersides infested with aphids.
- Gentle observation: Let the beetle walk across a flat palm rather than pinching its fragile wing covers.
Competitor "Asian Lady Beetle in Central-Germany & a mite" by gbohne is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Same Family no rights reserved, uploaded by Jaya Rakesh · cc0
Same Family (c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by portioid · cc-by
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Mystic Meadows
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