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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #408067
Research Project: Enhancing Insect Ecosystem Services that Benefit Modern Cropping Systems

Location: Integrated Cropping Systems Research

Title: Lady Beetles of Hawai'i

Author
item MOLENGRAAF, TERRY - South Dakota State University
item MATSUNAGA, JANIS - Hawaii Department Of Agriculture
item YEE, DANA ANNE - Dana Anne Yee Foundation
item PERERRIA, WILLIAM - Dana Anne Yee Foundation
item Beckendorf, Eric
item Hesler, Louis

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/7/2023
Publication Date: 9/15/2023
Citation: Molengraaf, T., Matsunaga, J., Yee, D., Pererria, W., Beckendorf, E.A., Hesler, L.S. 2023. Lady Beetles of Hawai'i [poster]. Edward Enterprises, Inc.

Interpretive Summary: Lady beetles are mainly beneficial insects known as natural enemies that prey upon a wide range of pests such as aphids, scale insects, mealybugs and whiteflies in crop fields, orchards, gardens, urban landscapes and greenhouses. All lady beetles in Hawai'i are predators of insects and mites, except for one species that feeds on fungi. None of the lady beetles is known to be native to Hawai'i. The lady beetles of Hawai'i are diverse, with a variety of color patterns, shapes and sizes.

Technical Abstract: Lady beetles are mainly beneficial insects (natural enemies) that prey upon a wide range of pests such as aphids, scale insects, mealybugs and whiteflies in crop fields, orchards, gardens, urban landscapes and greenhouses. All lady beetles in Hawai'i are predators of insects and mites, except one species, Psyllobora vigintimaculata, which feeds on fungi. None of the lady beetles is known to be native to Hawai'i. As you can see on this poster, the lady beetles of Hawai'i are diverse, with a variety of color patterns, shapes and sizes.