Hippodamia parenthesis, (Say, 1824)[]
Arthropods (Arthropoda)----Insects (Insecta)---Beetles (Coleoptera)-----Polyphaga-----Cucujoidea----Ladybirds (Coccinellidae)----Hippodamia----H. parenthesis
1st September, 2008. One and only specimen I saw with red instead of yellow/orange.
16th My, 2008. Edmonton River Valley.
2nd September, 2008.
The commonest genus of ladybirds is generally Coccinella, the ladybird's namesake genus, which holds the Seven-spotted ladybird. Next in line is probably Adalia, which holds the commonest native species, the Two-spotted ladybird. Next is Hippodamia, the genus of rather elongated species of ladybirdds that do not turn up often if you are not looking for them. The Parenthesis ladybird is seemingly the commonest species of its genus in Alberta, and can be seen anywhere from fields to shrubs and low plants in sub-urban gardens (note it is not found in particulary urban areas) and is not likely to be mistaken for another species, since the Expurgate ladybird (H. expurgata) is rare and found in wild, prairie habitats, thus meaning it can't really be confused, since you probably won't see it anyway. This species is another kind with a great variety on its markings, mostly on the markings that gave this species its name; those spots can be fused or can almost be non-existing or anywere inbetween. Then background colour is also very variable, sometimes it is just a plain colour, like yellow, orange, or red; but sometimes it is combinations such as yellow with a red border, or red with a yellow patch in the middle.
