Global InformationHalmus chalybeus information
| Halmus chalybeus | |
|---|---|
| |
| On an oak leaf | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Coccinellidae |
| Genus: | Halmus |
| Species: | H. chalybeus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Halmus chalybeus (Boisduval, 1835) [1]
| |
Halmus chalybeus, commonly known as the steelblue ladybird, is a species of ladybird (the beetle family Coccinellidae) native to Australia. It has a rounded appearance with an iridescent blue/green colouration and is a predator of other insects. It was introduced to New Zealand from Australia in 1899 and 1905 to control black scale and blue gum scale (see scale insect) on citrus trees,[2] where it is now common in northern regions. It has also been recorded eating San Jose scale. They are about 3–4 mm long.[2]
- ^ "Halmus chalybeus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- ^ a b Crowe, A. (2002). Which New Zealand Insect?. Auckland, N.Z.: Penguin. p. 47. ISBN 0-14-100636-6.