Unidentified beetle - apricot wing cases

[Bruce Williams]

Stockgrove Country Park, Beds. On fence near car park.

This attractive little beetle is quite small - my far from confident estimate is ~4mm. It was annoyingly active and involved me in a lot of lens chasing to get a couple of pics.

Help with identification appreciated as always.



Bruce

[oxycera]

Looks like the Larch Ladybird, Aphidecta obliterata.

[Bruce Williams]

Wow - Thanks John. I would never have pegged this for a ladybird, but you are spot-on of course (hmmm...unintentional ladybird pun there ). I had no trouble Googling Larch Ladybird pics that in some cases were so similar as to leave no doubt.

Bruce

[naturegirl]

So, why are they called 'Larch Ladybird'?

Does their larvae feed on Larch?

Always interested to learn guys!

Naturegirl

[Jason Green]

Naturegirl: From Paul Mabbott's site, Paul Mabbott Wildlife: Ladybirds, ground beetles and other wildlife in woods, fields and gardens London and Essex...

Another tree-dwelling species which, unusually, lives up to its name: it is most commonly found on larch (Larix spp) trees, and on other conifers

[naturegirl]

Thanks for that Jason!

I knew I could rely on a fellow 'night owl!!!!'

Take care.

Naturegirl

[Bruce Williams]

The main conifer species in the park is Scotts Pine. There are also small groups (and isolated individual trees) of Norway Spruce and Larch.

Bruce

[Dogghound]

Yes it is Aphidecta obliterata. It is found on all needled conifers put it has a preference for larch and firs as well as pines including Scotts pine Bruce.

Naturegirl the adults and larvae both feed on adelgids (a type of soft bodied wooly aphid) and coccids (Scale insects). They get there name due to larch being the prefered habitat of their main diet.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for the interesting information Dan.

Adelgids....Hmmm besides adelgid being a great word, you've given me something else to find out about .

Bruce

[Dogghound]

Im sure with your insect hunting skills they will be very easy to find. Adelgidae is the family name. Its best to look on spruce for Adelges viridis likely this ladybirds main diet up here, look for the galls that it produces (cone like pineapple gall). Usually at the end of branches quite easy to find.