This lady beetle’s common name gets our vote for most charming. Their very angular outline is unlike any other North American lady beetle and their helmet-shape, with a flared “rim,” is reminiscent of a classic 1950’s flying saucer. This genus includes our largest (7-10mm) lady beetles, with four North American species usually found in trees. This species hunts aphids, caterpillars, sawfly larvae, and other soft-bodied insects in pines and other conifers. Outside of Montana, they can be found in British Columbia, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada.
Size: Length 7.5 to 10.2 mm, width 6.5 to 9.0 mm
Photo by: Peter Lesica around 5/23/22 near Rexford, MT