×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Convergent Lady Beetle


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/13
Image Credit: Hugo B., taken in San Bernardino, CA
Full-sized image of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle
2/13
Image Credit: Tim G., taken in PA
Full-sized image #2 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image #2 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle
3/13
Image Credit: Arch Baker
Full-sized image #3 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image #3 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle
4/13
Image Credit: Arch Baker
Full-sized image #4 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image #4 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle
5/13
Image Credit: Jack B.
Full-sized image #5 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image #5 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle
6/13
Image Credit: Anne-Marie C-N.
Full-sized image #6 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image #6 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle
7/13
Image Credit: Joy B.
Full-sized image #7 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image #7 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle
8/13
Image Credit: Tim G., taken in PA
Full-sized image #8 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image #8 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle
9/13
Image Credit: Anonymous
Full-sized image #9 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image #9 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle
10/13
Image Credit: Tyler B. from Manchester, NH
Full-sized image #10 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image #10 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle
11/13
Image Credit: Hugo B., taken in San Bernardino, CA
Full-sized image #11 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image #11 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle
12/13
Image Credit: Hugo B., taken in San Bernardino, CA
Full-sized image #12 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image #12 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle
13/13
Image Credit: Hugo B., taken near Barstow, CA
Full-sized image #13 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle Thumbnail image #13 of the Convergent-Lady-Beetle

The native Convergent Lady Beetle is beloved for its diet of pesky insects, benefiting plants and the people that eat them.



Updated: 02/27/2024; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Though all Convergent Lady Beetles are reddish-orange with black spots on the elytra (wing coverings), some individuals have all 13 black spots while others have fewer than that. Individuals share the same white lines that surround the prothorax ('shoulder plate') that converge behind the head. White dashes mark the top of the prothorax: one on the left side and one on the right. The larvae of Lady Beetles are completely different than the adult form and look more like tiny alligators. Larvae have long, tubular bodies with six legs near the head. They are spiky and have orange dots on their black bodies. They change appearance again as pupae, appearing round and plump like a snail. At this stage, their coloring is orange with black spots, a reversal of their larval coloring. It is not uncommon to find Convergent Lady Beetles clustered together throughout their life stages on the ground or near each other on plants.

They are native biological controls for plant pests like aphids, which can ruin fruit. Containers of living Convergent Lady Beetles can be purchased for garden and farm field release, though the effectiveness of this is being studied. If populations of these beetles can remain in agricultural areas, they offer farmers and gardeners a consistent, organic means of protecting harvests. Once released after purchase, however, there is no guarantee the Convergent Lady Beetles remain near the release site. Concerns that commercial beetles may harbor parasites have been raised. Nonnative Lady Beetles, like the ubiquitous Asian Multicolored Lady Beetle, can displace a native Convergent Lady Beetle population. These issues have not hindered the interest in using Convergent Lady Beetles for pest control.

If food sources are low, this species can lengthen parts of the life cycle to accommodate scarce food sources. For example, larvae may take more time to pupate, allowing aphid and whitefly numbers to increase. This strategy then increases the survival and reproduction of the beetles once they are mature adults looking for food. Look for Convergent Lady Beetles in agricultural areas, gardens, meadows, lakeshores, and parks. Larvae and pupae are typically seen in early spring to early summer. Adults are active from spring through the summer.©InsectIdentification.org


Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Flying insect icon
Helpful insect icon
Patterned insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Coleoptera
        Family: Coccinellidae
View More
          Genus: Hippodamia
View More
            Species: convergens

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Hippodamia convergens
Other Name(s): Convergent Lady Bug
Category: Beetle
Size (Adult; Length): 4mm to 8mm (0.15" to 0.31")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: orange, black, red
Descriptors: spotted, dots, helpful, flying


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 4mm (0.2in) and 8mm (0.3in)
Lo: 4mm
Md: 6mm
Hi: 8mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Convergent Lady Beetle may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Convergent Lady Beetle. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede JoroSpider.org

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)