Lady beetle
Orcus australasiae
The adult is a small Australasian ladybird often found in gardens, orchards, and native vegetation where scale insects and related pests live. It walks and flies between leaves, using chewing mouthparts to feed on small soft-bodied insects. Its rounded elytra form a hard shield over the flight wings. When threatened, it can release bitter defensive chemicals from its joints, a typical ladybird deterrent.
- Type
- Shell
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- Lady beetle