Nine-spotted Lady Beetle

(Coccinella novemnotata)

Status: Endangered (COSEWIC 2016, ESA 2017)

Table of Contents:

Species Identification
Diet
Habitat and Range
Biology and Behaviour
Similar Species
Threats/Reasons for Being Endangered
Conservation and Recovery Strategies
How You Can Help

Species Identification:

The Nine-spotted Lady Beetle is a small beetle that ranges in size anywhere from 1.7 to 7 mm long. They have pale orange to red wings, and a black line that runs between them. They also generally have 9 black spots on their wings, giving them their name, however this number can vary. Their head is also black, with white markings between their eyes.

Diet:

The Nine-spotted Lady Beetle- like most Lady Beetles, are very beneficial for your garden. They primarily feed on aphids that can kill garden plants and agricultural crops. The Nine-spotted Lady Beetle will also feed on other soft-bodied insects they come across, as well as occasionally nectar and pollen from plants. They will also feed on other nuisance insects and their eggs such as spider mites, alfalfa weevils, leafhoppers, and scale insects. Nine-spotted Lady Beetles will capture and consume prey on the leaves of plants, using their wings to fly from plant to plant.

Map taken from Government of Canada: https://wildlife-species.canada.ca/species-risk-registry/virtual_sara/files/cosewic/sr_Nine-spotted%20Lady%20Beetle_2016_e.pdf

Habitat and Range:

They have a very wide range that spans most of southern Canada, as well as nearly all of the United States down to the Mexican border. In the Canadian range, the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle extends from Vancouver Island to southern Quebec. They are considered Extirpated in The Land Between, which means they once resided here but can no longer be found. As of 2016, there were 13 reported sightings of the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle in Canada, 6 in British Columbia, 6 sightings in Alberta, and 1 sighting in Quebec. Lack of data and comprehensive studies on this species means that little is known about current population numbers. The same can also be said for populations in the United States. The Nine-spotted Lady Beetle is now most likely only found in the western portion of the U.S, and is deemed Extirpated in many states.

The Nine-spotted Lady Beetle can live in a wide variety of habitats, but they prefer areas with shrubs, small trees, and open grassy areas. These areas include agricultural fields, suburban gardens, parks, coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as grasslands and meadows.

Biology and Behaviour:

Nine-spotted Lady Beetles are most active from late June to August. They can have up to two generations in one year, since it only takes 15-20 days for eggs to grow into adults. During the mating period, males can locate females using chemical and visual cues, and both sexes can have multiple partners. The female lays about 18 eggs on a variety of plant species, and will sometimes lay some unfertilized eggs with them to provide the successful larvae with a food source. Eggs will hatch into larvae in about 3 days, and larvae will change into pupae before their final adult stage. The average female Nine-spotted Lady Beetle can lay up to 690 eggs in her lifetime.

The Nine-spotted Lady Beetle uses their brightly coloured bodies as a warning to predators, which are mainly birds, frogs, wasps, dragonflies, and ants. While it has not been thoroughly researched, Nine-spotted Lady Beetles- like other Lady Beetle species, are thought to be able to excrete toxins when threatened.

These Lady Beetles will travel both long and short distances depending on habitat, temperature, and food availability. In the fall, adults will find a warm place to hibernate for the winter and will emerge in the spring when temperatures warm up.

Similar Species:

The Nine-spotted Lady Beetle is often confused with other Lady Beetle species, such as the Seven-spotted Lady Beetle, Five-spotted Lady Beetle, and the Convergent Lady Beetle. As expected, all of these species can be distinguished by the number of black spots on their wings. The Convergent Lady Beetle is one of the most common Lady Beetle species throughout North America, and has 12 black spots (6 on each wing).

Threats/ Reasons for being at Risk:

1. Invasive species: Invasive species generally pose significant threats to similar native species, and the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle is no exception. In fact, in just North America, 179 non-native Lady Beetle species have been introduced, as they are an important predator for pest insects in agriculture. The Seven-spotted Lady Beetle and the Multi-coloured Asian Lady Beetle are two introduced species that are currently outcompeting, predating, or spreading pathogens to the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle.

2. Competition and predation: As mentioned in the above section, the Seven-spotted Lady Beetle and the Multi-coloured Asian Lady Beetle are two of the main species that are outcompeting the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle for resources like habitat and food. Both of these species are able to thrive in a wider variety of conditions which has allowed them to grow in strength and numbers while the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle continues to suffer. The Seven-spotted Lady Beetle has also been known to prey on the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle. Adding another predator to the extensive list of predation threats for this species has further decimated their numbers and chances at survival.

3. Parasites and pathogens: Nine-spotted Lady Beetles also have a high risk of parasites, fungi and disease, many of which were brought in by invasive species. Many of these parasites and pathogens are also able to attack the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle while they are overwintering and are at their most vulnerable. Common parasites include the Braconid Wasp, Mites, and various fungal pathogens.

4. Pollution: While most Lady Beetle species are more tolerant of pesticides than their prey, they are still at risk of mortality from pesticides, especially when there is direct contact, residual buildup, or inhalation and ingestion. Pesticides that are ingested by prey are ingested by the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle, and can cause a buildup of toxins in their body. With the ever increasing need for food and monoculture, pesticides are being used more frequently and more heavily in an attempt to combat pest species like aphids that can heavily impact crops.

Conservation and recovery strategies:

While Endangered species and their general habitats are protected both Federally and Provincially, no direct conservation or recovery strategies are in place for the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle. The Nine-spotted Lady Beetle has been found in both protected areas like national and provincial parks, but also private land in urban and agricultural environments, which make them difficult to protect. Tackling the main threats to the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle would be the first and most important steps to recovering this species.

How can you help?

Avoid using harmful pesticides and fertilizers in your garden and on your property. Let Lady Beetle species do their work and protect your garden naturally!
Record any sightings of the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle at The Land Between’s website or iNaturalist.
Do not release any non-native predator insects into the environment.
Keep your property natural and encourage native wild plant species to grow. Your helpful, friendly predator insects will thank you!

Additional Resources:

Government of Ontario’s Nine-spotted Lady Beetle page
Vermont Centre for Ecostudies Nine-spotted Lady Beetle page
COSEWIC’s 2016 Assessment and Report on the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle
Nine-spotted Lady Beetle iNaturalist observations

Sources:

Government of Ontario. 2017. Nine-spotted Lady Beetle. Retrieved from https://www.ontario.ca/page/nine-spotted-lady-beetle

COSEWIC. 2016. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Nine-spotted Lady Beetle Coccinella novemnotata in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. x + 57 pp. https://wildlife-species.canada.ca/species-risk-registry/virtual_sara/files/cosewic/sr_Nine-spotted%20Lady%20Beetle_2016_e.pdf

Vermont Centre for Ecostudies. N.d. Nine-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella novemnotata) Herbst, 1793. Retrieved from: https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/lady-beetle-atlas/nine-spotted-lady-beetle/