Lady Beetle

Scientific name: many species
(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Facts: There are many species of lady beetles in Texas. The convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, pictured here in the bottom center is one of the most common and easily recognized species. It is called convergent because the white bars on the pronotum converge. Lady beetles are recognized as beneficial insects because both the adults and larvae feed on aphids and other small insects.

Photo credit: B. M. Drees, Extension Entomology,
Texas A&M University