Chilocoros Spp. DESEMBER 2014

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Chilocorus stigma (Say)(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)Twice-stabbed ladybeetle

by Kirsten Fondren, Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823

Nearly all species in the genus Chilocorus are predaceous on scale insects, although some will accept aphids or adelgids as prey (Gordon 1985). Most species are tropical, but seven species of Chilocorus are native to the United States. Two species, C. kuwanae and C. bipustulatus, have been introduced for biological control. However, the native Chilocorus stigma is the only one that occurs in most of the United States. It does not occur west of the Sierra Nevada. C. stigma is synonymous with C. bivulnerus Mulsant.

Appearance

C. stigma adults appear shiny black with a large red spot in the center of each elytron. Adults average 3.75-5.0 mm in length. The body is completely black except for the abdomen, which is yellow or red. A few other native Chilocorus species closely resemble C. stigma, but for the most part they are found in California where C. stigma does not occur (Gordon 1985). The introduced species C. kuwanae appears similar but can be distinguished by the appearance of the spot on its wings (see page on C. kuwanae). Larvae are black or grey and spiny in appearance. Eggs are small (about 1.1 mm long), orange, and laid on their sides either singly or in small groups (Muma 1955).

Habitat

Chilocorus species typically prefer arboreal habitats. They have been identified as beneficial natural enemies in orchards, tree plantations, and forests. In Michigan, C. stigma is often found in Christmas tree plantations, and forests where scale insect infestations are found.

Pests Attacked

The genus Chilocorus consists mostly of armored scale insect predators. C. stigma is an omnivorous predator of several scale insects, aphids, and mealybugs (Muma 1955). It has been reported often as a predator of the pine needle scale (Chionaspis pinifoliae) (Cumming 1953, Neilsen and Johnson 1973, DeBoo and Weidhaas 1976). It has been observed attacking beech bark scale (Cryptococcus fagisuga) in Michigan. Muma (1955) found it associated with the Florida red scale (Chrysomphalus aonidum) in citrus groves.

Life Cycle

C. stigma completes two generations in the northern U.S. (DeBoo and Weidhaas 1976). In Florida, it can complete several generations a year (Muma 1955). In cold areas, overwintering adults become active in early spring (April or May). Mating begins shortly and continues for about three weeks. Eggs are laid soon afterwards. Larvae emerge in late May and undergo four instars before pupating (Muma 1955). DeBoo and Weidhaas (1976) observed that in New York State, the overwintering adults continue to feed through June and early July, after first generation larvae have hatched. First generation adults mature in early to mid July. Mating and oviposition continue as before, and second generation larvae are observed beginning in mid July through early August. Adults emerge in midsummer and overwinter in ground litter.

Relative Effectiveness

Some workers report that C. stigma can be a highly effective predator of pine needle scale (DeBoo and Weidhaas 1976). Cumming (1953) states that C. stigma greatly reduced populations of pine needle scale in localized areas of Saskatchewan. Others dispute the claim that it is important in the absence of other predators (Muma 1955). Cooper and Crenshaw (1999) found it only rarely associated with the pine needle scale in north central Colorado. Its impact on the beech bark scale in Michigan is not yet known.

Pesticide Susceptibility

Like most beneficial insects, C. stigma is susceptible to broad-spectrum insecticides. Using alternative control treatments such as dormant or horticultural oils may be less harmful to the lady beetles.

Conservation

Avoiding or reducing the use of broad-spectrum insecticides will help conserve beneficial natural enemies such as C. stigma. Preserving refuges such as windbreaks or forested edges will give C. stigma a place to survive and recolonize scale-infested fields or orchards after disturbances. In Christmas tree plantations, selective spraying of the most severely infested individual trees near market, when possible, is one way to conserve natural enemies (DeBoo and Weidhaas 1976).

Commercial Availability

Top: Adult C. stigma

Middle: Damage by C. stigma to pine needle scale.

Bottom: C. stigma larva, 4th instar. Photos: K. Fondren

Currently C. stigma is not commercially available in the United States. Developing an efficient and productive rearing method for C. stigma could be an important contribution to biological control or integrated pest management programs.

References

Cooper, D.D. and W.S. Crenshaw. 1999. The natural enemy complex associated with the pine needle scale, Chionaspis pinifoliae (Fitch) (Homoptera; Diaspididae), in North Central Colorado. J. Kan. Ent. Soc. 72(1):131-133.

Cumming, M.E.P. 1953. Notes on the life history and seasonal development of the pine needle scale, Phenacaspis pinifoliae (Fitch). Can. Entomol. 89(9): 347-352

DeBoo, R.F. and J.A. Weidhaas, Jr. 1976. Studies on the predation of pine needle scale, Phenacaspis pinifoliae Fitch, by the coccinellid, Chilocorus stigma Say. Plantation research: XIV. Report CC-X-119. Chemical Control Research Institute, Canadian Forestry Service, Department of the Environment, Ottawa, Ontario.

Gordon, R.D. 1985. The Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) of America North of Mexico. J. New York Ent. Soc. 93(1).

Muma, M.H. 1955. Some ecological studies on the twice-stabbed lady beetle Chilocorus stigma (Say). Ann. Ent. Soc. Am. 48:493-498.

Nielsen, D.G. and N.E. Johnson 1973. Contribution to the life history and dynamics of the pine needle scale, Phenacaspis pinifoliae, in central New York. Ann. Ent. Soc. Am. 66: 34-43

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Kingdom Animalia – Animal, animaux, animals

Subkingdom Bilateria Infrakingdom Protostomia Superphylum Ecdysozoa Phylum Arthropoda –

Artrópode, arthropodes,

http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/predators/Chilocoruss.php#Top

arthropods Subphylum Hexapoda – hexapods

Class Insecta – insects,

hexapoda, inseto, insectes

Subclass Pterygota – insects ailés, winged insects

Infraclass Neoptera – modern, wing-folding insects

Superorder Holometabola

Order Coleoptera Linnaeus,

1758 – beetles, coléoptères, besouro

Suborder Polyphaga Emery, 1886

Infraorder Cucujiformia Lameere, 1938

Superfamily Cucujoidea Latreille, 1802

Family Coccinellidae Latreille,

1807 – ladybird beetles, coccinelles

Subfamily Chilocorinae Mulsant, 1846

Genus Chilocorus Leach, 1815

Species Chilocorus stigma (Say, 1835) – twicestabbed lady beetle, coccinelle stigma

Chilocorus stigma< back

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http://www.lostladybug.org/contributors-detail-species.php?id=806

Species: Chilocorus stigma

Date spotted: 7/27/2009

Habitat: Building

Location: Andover Massachusetts United States

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Habitat: Garden (Vegetable or Flower)

Location: Garden City New York United States

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Location: Boston Massachusetts United States



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Species: Chilocorus stigma,


Habitat: Yard / Backyard

Location: Savannah Missouri United States

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Location: Boulder Colorado United States

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Habitat: Woods/Tree (NOT Orchards - Use Ag Field Crop)

Location: Pelerin New Brunswick Canada

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Habitat: Building

Location: Douglassville Pennsylvania United States

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Habitat: Meadow/Grass/Weed (NOT Hay/Forage/Crops - Use Ag Field Crop)

Location: Rockland Maine United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: West Babylon New York United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: West Babylon New York United States

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Location: Southbury Connecticut United States



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Location: Walton Park New York United States

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Habitat: Water/Shore




Location: Bethlehem Pennsylvania United States

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Location: Greenwich Connecticut United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: Big Flats New York United States

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Habitat: Bushes/Shrubs

Location: Saint Marys Georgia United States

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Location: Ithaca New York United States

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Location: Walpole New Hampshire United States

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Location: Blanco Texas United States

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Location: Kent New Brunswick Canada

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Habitat: Building

Location: East Providence Rhode Island United States



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Location: Greensboro Alabama United States

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Location: Ocean Springs Mississippi United States

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Location: Milton Florida United States

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Location: Athol Massachusetts United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: Bay City Michigan United States

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Habitat: Building


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Habitat: Building


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Location: Myrtle Beach South Carolina United States



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Location: Durham North Carolina United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: Exeter Rhode Island United States

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Location: Medford Massachusetts United States

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Location: Stoneham Massachusetts United States

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Location: Velma Oklahoma United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: Dalton Pennsylvania United States

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Location: Coral Gables Florida United States

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Location: Old Town Maine United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: Pensacola Florida United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: Walt Disney World Florida United States



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Location: Apalachicola Florida United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: Disney World Florida United States

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Habitat: Ag Field Crop

Location: Coalmont Tennessee United States

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Location: Foster Rhode Island United States

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Location: Palmetto Bay Florida United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: Greenville Pennsylvania United States

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Location: West Boylston Massachusetts United States

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Location: Hixson Tennessee United States

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Location: West Boylston Massachusetts United States

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Location: Sewickley Pennsylvania United States

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Location: Modoc South Carolina United States

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Location: Santa Fe New Mexico United States

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Location: Priest River Idaho United States

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Location: Franklin Maine United States



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Location: Toronto Ontario Canada

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Location: Whitely Kentucky United States

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Location: Hollywood California United States

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Location: Pisgah New Hampshire United States

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Habitat: Soil/Rocks/Sand (NOT shore)

Location: Chester Vermont United States

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Habitat: Wetlands

Location: Ava Missouri United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: Unity New Hampshire United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: Durango Colorado United States

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Location: Oakville Ontario Canada

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Habitat: Building

Location: Glen Allen Virginia United States




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Habitat: Building

Location: Exeter Rhode Island United States

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Location: Colchester Vermont United States

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Habitat: Building

Location: Rehoboth Massachusetts United States



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Location: Purcellville Virginia United States

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Location: Troy Illinois United States

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Location: Troy Indiana United States

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Location: Walla Walla Washington United States

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Location: Walla Walla Washington United States

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Location: Bozeman Montana United States



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Habitat: Building

Location: Spiritwood Saskatchewan Canada

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Location: Meridian Idaho United States

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Location: Milton Florida United States

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Habitat: Soil/Rocks/Sand (NOT shore)


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Habitat: Building





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Location: Depew New York United States

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Location: Buxton Maine United States



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Location: Helena Montana United States

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Location: Vancouver British Columbia Canada

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Location: Sparta New Jersey United States

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Location: Mountain Iron Minnesota United States

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Location: Mont-Royal Quebec Canada

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Location: Mont-Royal Quebec Canada

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Home » INSECTS

Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle (Chilocorus stigma)Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle

Chilocorus stigma

(Order: Coleoptera, Family: Coccinellidae)

Chilocorus stigma and nest (photo taken by: Huan Huanlia)

(Kansas: Sedgewick Co. 17th & Holyoke St. 37°42'55.03"N, 97°17'52.49"W. On tree branch. October 7, 2013)

Adult Diagnosis: Like any other lady beetle, this species can be identified by its oval elytra shape (nearly hemispherical). The color of elytra is shiny black, with one red spot on each elytra – the word stigma means a blood spot. The size of adult is 3.8mm to 5.0 mm. The abdomen is yellow or red in color. There’s no obvious sexual dimorphism in the species. The female tends to be larger than the male. The larvae of this beetle are spiny (spines within spines) and black in color.

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Abdomen (Left) and dorsal view (right) of Chilocorus stigmata (photo by: http://bugguide.net/node/view/561/bgimage?from=0)

Larva of Chilocorus stigma (photo by: http://bugguide.net/node/view/124148)

Natural History: The adult move from tree to tree in search for prey. Approximately half of the beetle's time is spent resting (most probably for digesting) and the remaining half is spent to

http://bugguide.net/node/view/124148

http://bugguide.net/node/view/561/bgimage?from=0

search for prey and feeding. Besides hunger, the resting period also depends on temperature of the environment.

This lady beetle completes two generations in the Northern US and Canada. In some parts of the country such as in Florida, it may complete several generations in a year. Overwintering adults are active in the spring. Eggs are laid singly under the shells of scale insects and under the edges of tree bark. Larvae emerge in late May, and undergo 4 instars before pupating. It remains dormant in pupae state for 2 weeks.

Like other coccinelids, this lady beetle display close synchrony with the prey. They reproduce when population of their prey are increasing, and hibernate when the prey is dormant.

This species was introduced as biological control of aphids and scaly insects that can damage plants.

The red coloring is a sign of toxicity or distastefulness to the predator.

Chilocorus stigma and pupae clusters (photo taken by: Huan Huanlia)

(Kansas: Sedgewick Co. 17th & Holyoke St. 37°42'55.03"N, 97°17'52.49"W. October 7, 2013)

Distribution: This species is mainly distributed in eastern part of the United States, ranging west to Alberta and Arizona (but not too far west).

Distribution of Chilocorus stigma in the USA (map generated by Google Earth via gbif.org portal http://www.gbif.org/species/1043494)

Distribution of Chilocorus stigma in the Kansas(map provided by Encyclopedia of Life - via gbif.org portal http://www.gbif.org/species/1043494)

Habitat: Found mostly in deciduous trees, especially medium-sized trees. They are found in high frequency where there's high amount of scaly insects.

Diet: They are carnivorous, feeding mainly on small insects, such as aphids, mealybugs and scaled insects that attack pine needles in Christmas tree plants, as well as pest of citrus and beech trees. An adult has been observed to eat 50 birch aphid eggs daily.

Conservation Status: Stable.

http://www.gbif.org/species/1043494

http://eol.org/pages/1174730/maps

http://www.gbif.org/species/1043494

Video:

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aking1/4915382492/

Winter Activity of Chilocorus stigma: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGmTyieGp8o

Links:

Bug Guide: http://bugguide.net/node/view/561

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilocorus_stigma

Eastern Lady Beetles Blog: Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle, and not so twice-stabbed: http://www.easternladybeetles.com/blog/?p=47

References:

Acorn J. 2007. Ladybugs of Alberta: Finding the Spots and Connecting the Dots. The University of Alberta Press. 1st Ed. Pp 103.

Cooper D, Cranshaw W. LIFE HISTORY OF THE PINE NEEDLE SCALE, CHIONASPIS PINIFOLIAE (FITCH), IN NORTHEASTERN COLORADO. Southwestern Entomologist [serial online]. March 2005;30(1):55-60. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 10, 2013.

Eaton ER, Kaufman K. 2007. Beetles. In: Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. Pp 156.

Feinstein J. 2011. Field Guide to Urban Wildlife. Stackpole Books. 1st Ed. Pp 341.

Fondren K. Biological Control. Cornell University: College of Agriculture and Life Science. Department of Entomology. Accessed: November 10, 2013. http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/predators/Chilocoruss.html

Meyer M, Allen DC. Chilocorus stigma (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and other predators of Beech Scale in New York City. Research on Beech Bark Disease: Biological Control Relationship. Pg. 89-98. Accessed: November 12, 2013. http://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/pubs/gtr/gtr_wo37/18_mayer_wo37.pdf

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http://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/pubs/gtr/gtr_wo37/18_mayer_wo37.pdf

http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/predators/Chilocoruss.html

http://www.easternladybeetles.com/blog/?p=47

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilocorus_stigma

http://bugguide.net/node/view/561

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGmTyieGp8o

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aking1/4915382492/

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Chilocoros Spp. DESEMBER 2014

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