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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.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

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.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyCoccinellidaeGenusPsyllobora
Western Fairy Lady Beetle
spotted trait badgesocial trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Western Fairy Lady Beetle

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

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!

Special abilities

Ability

Mold Muncher

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

Ability

Chemical Shield

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

Ability

Air Traveler

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

Measurements & details

Wingspan
5-8 mm
Size
2.5-4 mm
Lifespan
60-120 days
Flight Speed
5 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

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

Primary Foods

  • powdery mildew
  • rust fungi
  • mildew spores
  • yeast

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

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

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These beetles are safe to observe, but be gentle and don't touch them too much.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Western Fairy Lady Beetle's wingspan?

5-8 mm

How big is Western Fairy Lady Beetle?

2.5-4 mm

How long does Western Fairy Lady Beetle live?

60-120 days

How fast can Western Fairy Lady Beetle fly?

5 km/h

What does Western Fairy Lady Beetle eat?

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

Where is Western Fairy Lady Beetle usually found?

Forests

How does Western Fairy Lady Beetle hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Western Fairy Lady Beetle have?

6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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