Rodolia cardinalis

Rodolia cardinalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Coccinellidae
Subfamily: Coccinellinae
Tribe: Noviini
Genus: Rodolia
Species: R. cardinalis
Binomial name
Rodolia cardinalis
(Mulsant, 1850)

Rodolia cardinalis (common names vedalia beetle[1] or cardinal ladybird) is a species of ladybird beetle that is sometimes described as endemic to Australia.[1]

Contents

As introduced biological control agent

New Zealand

R. cardinalis was accidentally introduced to New Zealand, though they are no longer very common.[2] An outbreak of cottony cushion scale in California took place in the late 19th century, which lead to some being imported from New Zealand in 1888 to help protect citrus trees.[2] They are red with black markings, and about 4mm long.[2]

California

R. cardinalis was introduced into Californian citrus orchards in late 1888.[1][2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Vedalia Beetle, Rodolia cardinalis". www.nysaes.cornell.edu Cornell. 2008-01-30. http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/predators/Rodolia.html. Retrieved 2009-05-13. 
  2. ^ a b c d Crowe, A. (2002). Which New Zealand Insect?. Auckland, N.Z.: Penguin. p. 47. ISBN 0141006366.