The Two-Spotted Lady Beetle (Adalia bipunctata)

Native Lady Beetle Highlight - The Two-Spotted Lady Beetle (Adalia bipunctata)

The name “two-spotted lady beetle” is a little bit of a misnomer here in Alaska. The typical form of this lady beetle has nice orange to red wing covers over the back (called ‘elytra’), each with a single black spot. However, this species has a beautiful variety of different color patterns, and different individuals of this species might have anywhere from 0 to 14 spots! Here in southcentral Alaska I most often see the versions with a row of spots in the middle of the elytra and another near the rear of the elytra, which are sometimes coalesced into a wavy band as shown in the photo.

The two-spotted lady beetle prefers hanging out in trees and shrubs where it feeds on aphids, mites, insect eggs, and other small, soft-bodied insect prey. In spring, adults may also feed on pollen, nectar, or honeydew for energy.

This species has been in decline in many parts of its native range, both in North America and in Europe. Factors such as habitat loss, competition from introduced lady beetles, pathogens, and parasites are thought to be causes for these declines. My hope is that here in Alaska we can learn from the impacts these factors have had elsewhere in the United States and prevent the same demise to our own two-spotted lady beetles.

Posted on May 30, 2023 05:25 PM by awenninger