Coleomegilla maculata

Coleomegilla maculata
C. maculata on stem
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Coccinellidae
Genus: Coleomegilla
Species:
C. maculata
Binomial name
Coleomegilla maculata
De Geer, 1775
Coleomegilla maculata ssp. lengi larva

Coleomegilla maculata, commonly known as the spotted lady beetle, pink spotted lady beetle or twelve-spotted lady beetle, is a large coccinellid beetle native to North America. The adults and larvae feed primarily on aphids and the species has been used as a biological control agent. Based on name connotation and to avoid confusion with other species also called "spotted ladybeetle", spotted pink ladybeetle is probably the most appropriate common name for this species.[1][permanent dead link]