Brachiacantha ursina

Pretty sure it is Brachiacantha ursina. Wandering along the stem and leaves of Sawtooth Sunflower (Helianthus grosseratus).

comments (8)

Christine Young

Lion

I like the common name, "Bear Lady". Posted 6 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  That's a better name I think. "Spur leg" comes from the small spurs on the front legs but "ursina" means "bear". I think "Brachiacantha" means something like "sharp arms".
  
  These beetles are very tiny and some years have been quite numerous here. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    I've never seen this species before, and am glad you shared it! Tiny beetles can be so difficult to ID, in my opinion. I have seen a lot of beetles so far this summer. Their diversity is astounding! Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Gary B
      
      Lion
      
      It is small at 3.5 mm but another genus Microweisea is even smaller at 1.22 mm (and now I want to find that one!). Brachiacantha ursina seems to like to be on milkweeds, asters, evening primroses so I look on these plants.
      
      A helpful website is the Lost Ladybug Project (lostladybug.org). They've got some posters of ladybugs from Maine and South Dakota that can be downloaded. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        1.22 mm!! That would be an awesome find. I admit that I usually skip the super tiny beetles because it's hard for me to focus on them. But, you are peaking my interest and I'll be on the watch for them now :). Oh, and thanks for the link! I've never been on that site before. Posted 6 years ago
      2. Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        Keep looking! I'm pretty sure they are in CT too. Went out this afternoon with the purpose of finding tiny ladybugs. No luck this time but I've got all of July. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Nice! I'll be looking :) Posted 6 years ago

Pudding4brains

Lion

Excellent! Never even heard of this species *rolleyes* Thanks for sharing, Gary! Posted 6 years ago

The Ursine Spurleg Lady Beetle

"Brachiacantha ursina", known generally as the ursine spurleg lady beetle or orange-spotted lady beetle, is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is found in North America.

Info 5 0

Similar species: Beetles

Species identified by Gary B