Expurgate Lady Beetle
ExploreInsects
Expurgate Lady Beetle
hippodamia expurgata
The Expurgate Lady Beetle (Hippodamia expurgata) is a beneficial predatory beetle native to western North America. Active primarily during the spring and summer months, this insect plays an invaluable ecological role as a natural pest control agent. Both adults and larvae are voracious predators of soft-bodied garden pests, especially aphids, making them highly welcomed by farmers and gardeners alike.
Habitat: Typically found in open grasslands, agricultural fields, mountain meadows, and riparian shrublands where host plants and prey are abundant.
Appearance
This small beetle ranges from 4.0 to 5.5 mm in length and exhibits an elongated, oval body. Its elytra (wing covers) are orange to reddish-yellow, decorated with several small, variable black spots that can occasionally merge or be entirely absent. Its distinct black pronotum features thin white margins and two prominent, pale, converging dash marks in the center, which helps distinguish it from other local lady beetle species.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyCoccinellidaeGenusHippodamia
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
An individual adult Expurgate Lady Beetle can devour up to 50 aphids in a single day, while its voracious larvae can eat hundreds over their development cycle.
During cold weather, they hibernate in tight clusters to pool their body heat, sometimes containing hundreds of individuals in a single sheltered spot.
The convergent pale lines on their black pronotum serve as a diagnostic visual marker that allows entomologists to quickly identify them in the field.
Special abilities
Ability
Reflex Bleeding
When threatened, it can exude a foul-smelling, bitter yellow fluid from its leg joints to deter predators like birds and ants.
Ability
Pest Tracking
Uses highly sensitive olfactory receptors on its antennae to locate volatile chemicals released by plants under aphid attack.
Ability
Overwintering Aggregation
Undergoes diapause during winter, gathering in large clusters under logs, rocks, or pine needles to conserve heat and survive freezing temperatures.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 0 cm
- Wingspan
- 0-1 cm
- Weight
- 0.00001-0.00003 kg
- Lifespan
- 1 years
- Top Speed
- 5 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 10-40
- Incubation
- 3-7 days
Diet & Feeding
Both larvae and adults feed extensively on aphids, scale insects, mites, and other soft-bodied agricultural pests.
Age differences: While both stages are insectivorous, adults will occasionally feed on pollen and nectar when prey densities are low.
Primary Foods
- Pea Aphids
- Spider Mites
- Scale Insects
- Insect Eggs
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
hunts
Pea Aphid
Acyrthosiphon pisum
Actively preys on aphid populations, providing a vital agricultural bio-control service.
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Forages in vegetation and opportunistically preys upon small beetles including ladybugs.
competitor
Green Lacewing
Chrysoperla carnea
Competes directly for aphid resources in agricultural fields and native grasslands.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Collections for this object will appear here as more themes are added.
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Expurgate Lady Beetle?
The easiest way to identify Expurgate Lady Beetle is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Expurgate Lady Beetle?
0 cm
What is Expurgate Lady Beetle's wingspan?
0-1 cm
How much does Expurgate Lady Beetle weigh?
0.00001-0.00003 kg
How long does Expurgate Lady Beetle live?
1 years
How fast can Expurgate Lady Beetle move?
5 km/h
What does Expurgate Lady Beetle eat?
Both larvae and adults feed extensively on aphids, scale insects, mites, and other soft-bodied agricultural pests.
Where is Expurgate Lady Beetle usually found?
Typically found in open grasslands, agricultural fields, mountain meadows, and riparian shrublands where host plants and prey are abundant.
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
