Description
The 7 spot lady beetle is the largest coccinellid species generally found in row crops. It was imported from Europe decades ago to assist with aphid control. It established and spread widely throughout agricultural and grassland ecosystems in North America. It is and aphid specialist, with both larva and adults requiring aphid prey to successfully develop and reproduce, respectively. It forages primarily on grasses and herbaceous plants, but has been known to forage on certain trees (e.g. apple) when aphid prey are available.
Agent image
Common name
7 spot lady beetle
Agent type
Insect