Cheilomenes

Cheilomenes is a genus of ladybirds (Coccinellidae). Like other members of their subfamily they are large typical ladybirds. They are always shiny and often have bright spots on the elytra.^[1] The common African species C. lunata is an important predator of the citrus aphid, Toxoptera,^[1] and wheat aphid,^[2] while C. vicina has been suggested as a biological control agent for the cowpea aphid.^[3] Both the larvae and adults are predatory. Freshly emerged larvae consume unhatched eggs, and eventually have a dappled appearance and 6 tubercles on each abdominal segment.^[2] Vulnerable stages in the life of C. sexmaculata, including oviposition, hatching, moulting and pupation have been shown to occur after dark, probably as an adaptation to avoid exposure to natural enemies.^[4]

Cheilomenes
Cheilomenes lunata in South Africa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Family:	Coccinellidae
Subfamily:	Coccinellinae
Genus:	Cheilomenes Chevrolat, 1837
Species
C. aurora Gerstäcker C. lunata Fabricius, 1775 C. propinqua (Mulsant, 1850) C. sexmaculata (Fabricius, 1781) C. sulfurea (Olivier, 1791) C. (p.) vicina (Mulsant) Ofuya, 1986

Gallery

• 
  The Six-spotted zigzag ladybird, C. sexmaculata, of Asia and Australasia
• 
  C. sexmaculata at Zighy Bay, Musandam Peninsula, Oman
• 
  C. sulfurea at Chimoio, Mozambique
• 
  C. propinqua in South Africa

See also

• List of Coccinellidae genera and species