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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Beetles (Coleoptera) (58 Galleries) >> Ladybeetles (Family: Coccinellidae) > Spotted ladybeetle (Coleomegilla maculata) and Neogalerucella eggs
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27-MAY-2012 Christine Hanrahan

Spotted ladybeetle (Coleomegilla maculata) and Neogalerucella eggs

This lady beetle is a native species, very small (about 5mm), but she dwarfs those eggs! The eggs are laid by the little Neogalerucella beetle, which was introduced as a biocontrol for purple loosestrife. The lady beetle was seemingly eating the eggs, and you can see one is opened. The black lines are feces which the female places on each egg, perhaps to deter predators! In this case it didn't work, and the only reason the lady beetle is moving away is because I'm there taking photos. We need all the Neogalerucella beetles we can get though!

Neogalerucella beetles were, until recently, called Galerucella. This is the species calmariensis.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
1/800s f/2.8 at 5.0mm iso100 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time27-May-2012 13:30:54
MakeCanon
ModelCanon PowerShot SX20 IS
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length5 mm
Exposure Time1/800 sec
Aperturef/2.8
ISO Equivalent100
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Modematrix (5)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto
Excedera St. Louis 28-May-2013 19:25
Hi Christine,
I am interested in any other imagery / proof of insects feeding on (neo)Galerucella ? - If you think you might have anything or want to be in touch to know more about what I am working on, please email me. Thanks for your time! - or anyone! estlo103@uottawa.ca (2013 summer)
bill friedlander31-May-2012 23:09
An amazing closeup of of this miniature world. Thanks for your explanation of what is happening, it adds so much to the meaning of the image. V
Esa Ervasti30-May-2012 09:30
I agree with Fay Stout :-)
Sheila29-May-2012 04:53
What a fascinating shot. How wonderful to see the half eaten egg which is so very tiny. Superb close up work!
Carl H. Johnson29-May-2012 03:05
Very informative and well presented!!!~V~
Pierre28-May-2012 23:47
Une prise de vue splendide et des informations toujours intéressantes! V
Karen Stuebing28-May-2012 21:47
Amazing photo. I don't know how you find all these fascinating facets of nature and photograph them so well. V.
Julie Tremblay28-May-2012 21:27
That is such an incredible shot and information. Thank you so much. V.
LynnH28-May-2012 19:24
Wow, great macro. I know lady bugs eat a lot of pests, but I suppose they eat good bugs too. Interesting info, Christine. V
Graeme28-May-2012 19:11
Facinating information and close up details of the lady bird beetle and eggs, Christine.BBV
nightwings28-May-2012 17:20
Super photo, never thought of ladybugs as predators, but then they have to eat too
globalgadabout28-May-2012 13:10
outstanding image of these tiny subjects...between the spotted predator and the chewed leaf, those eggs are in a precarious position...V
Torben Jorgensen28-May-2012 12:50
Foreign looking Ladybird. Excellent image and interesting information. V
Dan the Man28-May-2012 12:29
It is so great to have you on pbase... I learn so much through your posting! Thank you!!! and God bless you!
Guest 28-May-2012 11:28
I know how loosestrife can take over. This is a most interesting story with all aspects clarified. Excellent image of the lady beetle.
Yvonne28-May-2012 11:04
Superb photography Christine & very interesting read! v
MarcViskens28-May-2012 07:25
wonderful close-up
Marc
Chris28-May-2012 04:30
Maybe one egg was enough for today. I look forward to your daily nature post, always something new.
joseantonio28-May-2012 04:18
Great capture of this little beauty
Jim Coffman28-May-2012 02:43
I don't know how you find all of these little wonders of nature!
Very nice as always.
Hank Vander Velde28-May-2012 02:14
Terrific find, image and explanation Christine. I agree with the others, your nature postings are most informative and like Fay, I've learned a lot from them.
dane28-May-2012 02:10
nicely presented as usual. V
Carl Carbone28-May-2012 02:09
Please let those eggs hatch, though! :-) Great shot. I too am always impressed by your knowledge of nature.
Margot W28-May-2012 02:05
She'll be back I'm sure.
I like what Fay said. I agree!
Fay Stout28-May-2012 01:54
Nearly every time you post a nature shot, I learn something new.
You are truly the "woodland whisperer"! V
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