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