Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 1043493

Cactus Lady Beetle

Chilocorus cacti

Also known as Twice-Stabbed Cactus Lady Beetle, Cactus Ladybird

Cactus lady beetles feature smooth, shiny black elytra adorned with two bright reddish-orange spots, giving them a distinct twice-stabbed appearance. Both adults and grubs act as voracious predators, patrolling cacti, citrus trees, and ornamental plants to feast on armored scale insects and whiteflies. Their efficiency as natural pest control agents makes them a highly valued beneficial insect across warm, dry landscapes.

Beneficial InsectPredatoryBeetle
Cactus Lady Beetle reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Sam Fraser-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Scale insects
  • Mealybugs
  • Whiteflies
Predators
  • Birds
  • Lizards
  • Spiders
ThreatsBroad-spectrum pesticide applications
HabitatsDeserts, scrublands, citrus groves, gardens
Life span1–2 months as adult
Classification
  1. FamilyCoccinellidae
  2. SpeciesChilocorus cacti
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Look on infested plants: Search the stems and leaves of cacti or citrus trees heavy with scale insects.
  • Handle gently: Rough handling can cause them to drop or release bitter yellow defensive fluid.
Related species
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