Halmus chalybeus

Identification The Steelblue Ladybird is a small hemisphere shaped ladybird. It is dark metallic blue in colour. This ladybird is an important predator of pests in citrus plantations in Australia, and was introduced into New Zealand as a biological control for citrus insects pests.

Size
length 4mm

Food
feeds on aphids, scale insects and other small insects, also feeds on mites.

Range
The Steelblue Ladybird is native to eastern Australia where it is found in Queensland and New South Wales. It has also been introduced (?) into Western Australia.

ClassificationClass: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Coccinellidae
Genus: Halmus
Species: chalybeus