Novius koebelei explained

Novius koebelei is a species of ladybird beetle native to Australia.[1] It is also present in the wild in New Zealand, where it is of exotic origin.[2] In New Zealand, it was first reported in 2006, having been found in Auckland.[3] It has been known under many names; due to variation in its colouration, it has been described as new six times after its original description in 1892.[4]

This species was introduced into California for biocontrol, alongside N. cardinalis. It is not thought to persist there now, however.[5]

Description

Compared to the better-known Novius cardinalis, koebelei typically has much more strongly confluent markings. This often creates a large concurrent red patch on each elytron, though some individuals may be entirely uniform red, and other variants exist.[4]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.ento.csiro.au/biology/ladybirds/lucid/key/lucidKey/Media/Html/rodolKoebelei1.htm CSIRO
  2. http://demo.nzor.org.nz/names/ac9c32d9-b719-4085-8f8d-97eab35d4a56 NZOR (Web Service Demonstrator)
  3. Biosecurity New Zealand 2006: Biosecurity magazine, (68) whole issue (PDF) [see p. 30]
  4. Pang, H., Tang, X.-F., Booth, R.G., Vandenberg, N., Forrester, J., Mchugh, J., & Ślipiński, A. (2020) Revision of the Australian Coccinellidae (Coleoptera). Genus Novius Mulsant of Tribe Noviini. Annales Zoologici 70 (1):1–24. https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2020.70.1.001
  5. The Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) of America North of Mexico, Robert D. Gordon. 1985. Journal of the New York Entomological Society, Vol. 93, No. 1.