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''Cheilomenes'' is a genus of
ladybird
Coccinellidae () is a widespread family of small beetles ranging in size from . They are commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in Great Britain. Some entomologists prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as the ...
s (
Coccinellidae
Coccinellidae () is a widespread family of small beetles ranging in size from . They are commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in Great Britain. Some entomologists prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as the ...
). Like other members of their subfamily they are large typical ladybirds. They are always shiny and often have bright spots on the
elytra
An elytron (; ; , ) is a modified, hardened forewing of beetles (Coleoptera), though a few of the true bugs ( Hemiptera) such as the family Schizopteridae are extremely similar; in true bugs, the forewings are called hemelytra (sometimes altern ...
.
The common African species ''C. lunata'' is an important predator of the citrus aphid, ''
Toxoptera'',
[ and wheat aphid,]biological control
Biological control or biocontrol is a method of controlling pests, such as insects, mites, weeds, and plant diseases, using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms, but typically als ...
agent for the cowpea aphid.[ Vulnerable stages in the life of ''C. sexmaculata'', including oviposition, hatching, moulting and pupation have been shown to occur after dark, probably as an adaptation to avoid exposure to natural enemies.]
Gallery
File:75-Indian-Insect-Life - Harold Maxwell-Lefroy - Cheilomenes-sexmaculata.jpg, The Six-spotted zigzag ladybird, ''C. sexmaculata'', of Asia and Australasia
File:Six-spotted zigzag ladybirds (Cheilomenes sexmaculata) mating.jpg, ''C. sexmaculata'' at Zighy Bay, Musandam Peninsula
The Musandam Peninsula ( ar, جَزِيْرَة مُسَنْدَم \ رَأْس مُسَنْدَم, Jazīrat Musandam / Raʾs Musandam), locally known as Ruus Al Jibal ( ar, رُؤُوْس ٱلْجِبَال, ''Ruʾūs al-Jibāl'' Heads of the Mou ...
, Oman
Oman ( ; ar, عُمَان ' ), officially the Sultanate of Oman ( ar, سلْطنةُ عُمان ), is an Arabian country located in southwestern Asia. It is situated on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and spans the mouth of ...
File:Cheilomenes sulfurea 1.jpg, ''C. sulfurea'' at Chimoio
Chimoio is the capital of Manica Province in Mozambique. It is the fifth-largest city in Mozambique.
Chimoio's name under Portuguese administration was ''Vila Pery''. Vila Pery developed under Portuguese rule as an important agricultural and te ...
, Mozambique
File:Cheilomenes propinqua, m & w, Manie van der Schijff BT, a.jpg, ''C. propinqua'' in South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring count ...
See also
*List of Coccinellidae genera and species
The family Coccinellidae ("ladybirds", "lady beetles", or "lady bugs") is divided into seven subfamilies, many tribes, and about 360 genera: Subfamily Chilocorinae
Tribe Chilocorini Species:Chilocorini
*'' Anisorcus''
*''Arawana''
*''Axion''
...
References
External links
Cheilomenes, Biodiversity explorer
Coccinellidae genera
Taxa named by Louis Alexandre Auguste Chevrolat
{{Coccinellidae-stub