''Coelophora inaequalis'', the variable ladybird, common Australian lady beetle or common Australian ladybug is a

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 ...

species endemic to Australia,

Oceania Oceania (, , ) is a region, geographical region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Spanning the Eastern Hemisphere, Eastern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres, Oceania is estimated to have a land area of ...

and Southern Asia. The variable ladybird gets its name from the black markings on the adult

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 ...

, that vary from one individual to another.Brisbane Insects, Variable Ladybird Beetles - Coelophora inaequalis
/ref> ''C. inaequalis'' was introduced into

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, a ...

and

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only ...

as a

biological control agent 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 also in ...

to combat ''

Sipha flava ''Sipha flava'' is a species of aphid in the family Aphididae.''Sipha flava''.< ...

'', the yellow sugarcane

aphid Aphids are small sap-sucking insects and members of the superfamily Aphidoidea. Common names include greenfly and blackfly, although individuals within a species can vary widely in color. The group includes the fluffy white woolly aphids. A ...

References

External links

''C. inaequalis'' picture gallery at www.ozanimals.com

Coccinellidae Beetles of Australia Beetles of New Zealand Beetles described in 1775 Taxa named by Johan Christian Fabricius {{Coccinellidae-stub