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Steelblue Lady Beetle

Halmus chalybeus

The Steelblue Lady Beetle is a shiny, blue bug that loves to eat tiny pests like aphids. They are helpful friends in gardens and can be found crawling on leaves, making them fun to spot!

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Steelblue Lady Beetle is a small, rounded, and dome-shaped insect with a striking uniform iridescent metallic blue or purplish coloration. Unlike most ladybugs, it lacks spots, making its gleaming, unblemished shell distinct from its red-spotted relatives.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyCoccinellidaeGenusHalmus
Steelblue Lady Beetle
solitary trait badgecolorful trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Steelblue Lady Beetle

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby Steelblue Lady Beetles look like tiny, fuzzy blue alligators!

It was brought to other countries on purpose to protect plants from pests!

Its scientific name, chalybeus, means 'steel-blue' in ancient Greek.

They sometimes play dead when a predator is nearby to escape danger.

Special abilities

Ability

Pest Patrol Power

Steelblue Lady Beetle can eat many tiny plant pests because this helps them keep plants healthy.

Ability

Stinky Shield

Steelblue Lady Beetle has a smelly yellow fluid that helps them deter predators when scared.

Ability

Flight Finesse

Steelblue Lady Beetle can fly with hidden wings that helps them find new food sources and mates.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
4-8 mm
Size
2-4 mm
Lifespan
30-90 days
Flight Speed
2 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

These tiny beetles are expert hunters, feasting on small plant-damaging insects!

Age differences: Larvae and adults both actively search for and feed on scale insects.

Primary Foods

  • Green scale insects
  • Citrus mealybugs
  • Hemispherical scale insects
  • Other soft-bodied scale insects

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Green Scale

Coccus viridis

A primary food source

hunts

Citrus Mealybug

Planococcus citri

Feeds on this common pest

eaten by

Common Blackbird

Turdus merula

A general insect predator

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These beetles are safe to watch and won't hurt you. Just enjoy looking at them!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Steelblue Lady Beetle's wingspan?

4-8 mm

How big is Steelblue Lady Beetle?

2-4 mm

How long does Steelblue Lady Beetle live?

30-90 days

How fast can Steelblue Lady Beetle fly?

2 km/h

What does Steelblue Lady Beetle eat?

These tiny beetles are expert hunters, feasting on small plant-damaging insects!

Where is Steelblue Lady Beetle usually found?

Urban areas

How does Steelblue Lady Beetle hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Steelblue Lady Beetle have?

6

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