Western Fairy Lady Beetle

Psyllobora borealis

The Western Fairy Lady Beetle is a small, round beetle with a bright yellow body and black spots. They are friendly little bugs that love to munch on soft, fuzzy mold and keep our plants healthy.

Hábitat: Forests

Aspecto

The Western Fairy Lady Beetle is bright yellow with variable black spots, typically 11-13 on its rounded, dome-shaped body. Its distinct yellow color and pattern make it easily recognizable among other lady beetles.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseInsectaOrdenColeopteraFamiliaCoccinellidaeGéneroPsyllobora

Western Fairy Lady Beetle

Categoría

Insectos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

If disturbed, they can "play dead" by retracting their legs and falling to the ground!

Lady beetles got their name from farmers who called them "Our Lady's Beetles" long ago!

Many lady beetles eat aphids, but this one prefers a completely different meal: fungi!

Their larvae look like tiny, spiky, cream-colored caterpillars before they become adult beetles!

Habilidades especiales

Western Fairy Lady Beetle can eat powdery mildew because it's a mycophagous insect that helps control plant diseases.

Western Fairy Lady Beetle has foul-tasting chemicals that help them deter predators when feeling threatened or scared.

Western Fairy Lady Beetle can fly to new feeding grounds using its strong wings, helping them find more mold to eat.

Medidas y detalles

Envergadura: 5-8 mm
Tamaño: 2.5-4 mm
Esperanza de vida: 60-120 días
Velocidad de vuelo: 5 km/h
Cantidad de patas: 6

Dieta y alimentación

This beetle loves to munch on tiny fungi, helping keep plants healthy and happy!

Alimentos principales

powdery mildew
rust fungi
mildew spores
yeast

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

eats

Chicory powdery mildew

Erysiphe cichoracearum

eats this mildew on various plants

eaten by

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

a common bird predator in its range

eaten by

Cross Orbweaver

Araneus diadematus

a spider that can catch them in webs

Rasgos

Manchado

Marcado con manchas o parches de un color diferente.

Social

Los animales sociales viven en grupos organizados, cooperando para obtener beneficios de supervivencia como la búsqueda de alimento, la defensa y la cría de descendencia.