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Mulsantina hudsonica (Casey, 1899)[]

Arthropods (Arthropoda)----Insects (Insecta)----Beetles (Coleoptera)-----Polyphaga-----Cucjoidea----Ladybirds (Coccinellidae)----Coccinellinae----Coccinellini----Mulsantina----M. hudsonica

Hudsonian ladybird 1

21st April, 2009.

Hudsonian ladybird 3

21st April, 2009

Hudsonian ladybird 2

21st April, 2009.

Hudsonian ladybird 4

21st April, 2009


This is the less common (in most of North America) counterpart of the much more widespread Painted ladybird (M. picta). The Painted ladybird is found in Alberta but not as common, and has two horizontal bars across the elytra, but apparently the Hudsonian may have the two spots in the middle of the elytra fused into one long band. This species is not seen often mainly because it is a tree-dwelling species which is typically in the branches of the tallest tree where you can't see it. Sometimes they will either fall or fly down to lower areas where people like me may encounter them. I showed this to about 30 children (aged 4-13) and only 2 believed it was a ladybird, mainly because "it wasn't red". What most people don't realize is that there is more brown and dull ladybirds then there are bright red ones.

Links[]

PBase-Tom Murray

BugGuide#

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