Cheilomenes

Cheilomenes
C. lunata in South Africa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Coccinellidae
Subfamily: Coccinellinae
Tribe: Coccinellini
Genus: Cheilomenes
Chevrolat, 1837
Species

C. lunata
C. propinqua
 C. sexmaculata
C. sulfurea
C. vicina

Cheilomenes is an Old World genus of ladybirds in the family Coccinellidae. Like other members of their subfamily they are large typical ladybirds. They are always shiny and often have bright spots on the elytra.[1] The common African species C. lunata is an important predator of the citrus aphid, Toxoptera,[1] and wheat aphid,[2] while C. vicina has been suggested as a biological control agent for the cowpea aphid.[3] Both the larvae and adults are predatory. Freshly emerged larvae consume unhatched eggs, and eventually have a dappled appearance and 6 tubercles on each abdominal segment.[2] Vulnerable stages in the life of C. sexmaculata, including oviposition, hatching, moulting and pupation have been shown to occur after dark, probably as an adaptation to avoid exposure to natural enemies.[4]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Scholtz, Clarke H. et al. (1985). Insects of Southern Africa. Durban: Butterworths. p. 251. ISBN 0409-10487-6.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Picker, Mike et al. (2004). Field Guide to Insects of South Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. p. 228. ISBN 978-1-77007-061-5.
  3. ↑ Ofuya, T.I. (1986). "Predation by Cheilomenes vicina on the Cowpea Aphid, Aphis craccivora". Entomophaga 31 (4): 331–335. doi:10.1007/bf02373148. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  4. ↑ Singh, K. (23 February 2007). "Rhythmicity in life events of an aphidophagous ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata". Journal of Applied Entomology 131 (2): 85–89. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0418.2007.01148.x.
Wikispecies has information related to: Coccinellini

External links

External identifiers for Cheilomenes
Encyclopedia of Life 110723