coccinellid sp.

This is a lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Like other lady beetles, both the larva and adult feed on aphids and other small insects. Coccinellid predation of aphids can be beneficial in managing these agricultural pests. There are more than 480 members of the Coccinellidae family in North America. Color variation within this family is very common. However, most lady beetles are red, orange, or yellow with black spots on their elytra.

 

Order: Coleoptera
Family: Coccinellidae

Photograph: © 2016 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 30 August 2016
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co. (45o43'41" N 111o08'11" W)