Hippodamia convergens, commonly known as the convergent lady beetle, is one of the most common lady beetles in North America and is found throughout the continent. Aphids form their main diet and they are used for the biological control of these pests.

Convergent lady beetles are native to North America, but have also been imported and established in South America by importing beetles from California.

Range

The female lady beetle lays 200 to 300 eggs over several months during spring and early summer. The eggs are small and spindle-shaped and are laid near the prey in upright batches of fifteen to thirty eggs. The larvae are dark and somewhat alligator-shaped. Once the larvae begin feeding, they grow quickly and molt four times over a period of up to a month. The pupal stage lasts about a week and mating takes place soon after adult eclosion. If the food supply is abundant, the female may start laying within about a week of mating, but if it is scarce, she may wait for up to nine months.

Life cycle

The first larvae that hatch in each batch may start by eating the unhatched eggs. This may provide energy for the larvae before they find any aphids. Fourth-instar larvae may consume about fifty aphids per day and adults may eat about twenty. When aphids are scarce, the adults can eat honeydew, nectar and pollen or even petals and other soft parts of plants. However they must consume aphids in order to reproduce. 
In the western United States, these beetles may spend up to nine months in diapause in large aggregations in mountain valleys, far from their aphid food sources. In spring, the adults spread out and search for suitable sites to lay their eggs where aphids are plentiful. This dispersal trait is especially marked in this species as compared to other lady beetles.

Biology

Convergent lady beetles are also used for augmentative biological control to temporarily increase predator numbers to control aphids. The species is available commercially in North America, but because of the overwintering habits of non-reproductive adults, released beetles tend to quickly disperse from their release site. Adults released in enclosed settings such as greenhouses can contribute to lower aphid numbers.

Biological control

Entomopathogenic fungi used as biopesticides such as Metarhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, and Beauveria bassiana can also infect larvae.

Natural enemies

Hippodamia convergens, commonly known as the convergent lady beetle, is considered a garden pest because it feeds on aphids and other soft-bodied insects that can damage plants in gardens. While they are beneficial in controlling pest populations, their presence in large numbers can sometimes lead to a nuisance for gardeners.

garden pest

Hippodamia convergens can be considered crop pests because they have been known to feed on crops such as soybeans, corn, and various fruits, which can result in damage to the plants and reduce crop yields.

crop pest

Hippodamia convergens are considered pests because they can feed on garden plants and crops, causing damage and reducing yields. Additionally, their large numbers can sometimes become a nuisance for gardeners.

google-play-not-available-title

What is the historical significance of convergent lady beetle?

More questions