![]() Ladybirds are released in units of 100 eggs on cards which is the most cost-efficient way of releasing them. It is generally recommended to release Aphid parasites in conjunction with ladybirds prior to the pest becoming established. This can result in large numbers of beetles being produced, but sometimes honeydew and sooty mould can occur from the aphids prior to control being achieved. Ladybird establishment is more effective when pest densities are high as they have a plentiful food source. When establishing a new crop, or when aphid numbers are high, additional releases will be needed. It is beneficial to have a resident population ladybirds in the crop to keep aphids or other pests in low numbers. The older larvae may become cannibalistic, eating the younger larvae, pupae or eggs if prey numbers become too low. When prey numbers are low, they can persist in the crop, or in nearby vegetation by eating alternative prey species and pollen from flowers. Ladybirds are beneficial in crops prone to aphid infestation such as roses, cereals, cotton, brassicas, melons, potatoes and capsicums. When established, they will also aid control of mites, scale insects, leafhoppers, moth eggs and small larvae. Ladybirds have the potential to be used in a variety of crops, both in protected cropping and in the field, to help control aphids. They consume most of their prey in the 4th instar and adult stages. The optimum temperature range for development is between 20-30☌. Both species are present throughout Australia showing they are capable of surviving a wide range of temperatures including Temperate, Mediteranean, and Subtropical conditions. There can be several generations per year until winter when adult ladybirds can go through a dormant overwintering stage, depending on conditions. After around seven days the pupae hatch into adult beetles that live for around 30-60 days. The larvae then develop into black and orange pupae, usually on the underside of a leaf. They feed for around 16 days, going through four larval instars (stages) and reaching a length of 6mm. The larvae are spiny, soft bodied, elongated (crocodile shaped), grey/black coloured with some orange markings. The eggs take around four days to hatch into larvae. A female can lay 300-400 eggs in her lifetime, depending on nutrition. Ladybirds lay clusters of about 10-40 yellow, ovoid tapered eggs on leaves in areas where prey is plentiful. Their elytra (wing cases) are orange, with 3-15 black spots. The pronotum (dorsal plate) is black, with a white-yellowish border and a central black mask shaped marking. They have black heads with white spots, white collar and dark eyes. Both adults and larvae eat large amounts of prey - up to 50 aphids per day.Īdults have slightly convex and elongated bodies and vary between 4–6 mm in length. Hippodamia are a generalist predator that prefer to feed on aphids but have the ability to eat a wide range of insect pests, including thrips, whitefly, scale insects, mites, mealybugs and moth eggs. This species was first recorded in Queensland in 2000 and has since established throughout most of Australia and it can be prolific in vegetable crops and pastures. Originally native from Europe to Asia, it is now widely established in all continents. ![]() Hippodamia variegata is a species of predatory beetle commonly known as the Variegated ladybird, Adonis ladybird, spotted Amber ladybird or White Collared ladybird. ![]() The elytra (wing covers) are orange with a black stripe down the middle and two roughly “v” shaped markings on each wing cover. They have an orange head and a black pronotum (dorsal plate) with an orange marking along the front. Coccinella is a very useful biocontrol species as it is a generalist predator capable of feeding on a wide range of insect pest species including aphids, mites, scale insects, leafhoppers, moth eggs and small caterpillars.Īdults are convex, rounded bright orange/red ladybirds of 4-6mm in size. They are the most recognisable beneficial insect by the general public in Australia and are used as the logo of the ABC (Australasian Biological Control Inc.). They inhabit urban areas, native vegetation and many agricultural crops. This species has also been known as Coccinella repanda and Coccinella contempta.Ĭoccinella are found in all Australian states and territories, in India and across south eastern Asia. Ladybirds Coccinella transversalis and Hippodamia variegataĬoccinella transversalis, or the Transverse Ladybird, is a predatory beetle native to Australia.
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