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Steelblue ladybird - Halmus chalybeus |
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The steelblue ladybird was introduced to
New Zealand from Australia in 1899 and 1905 for the
control of black scale and blue gum scale, but it has
also been recorded feeding on San Jose scale. There is no
quantitative information on the importance or frequency
of this predation. Ladybird feeding on scale insects is often evident from the ragged edges of the scale covers which are lifted and eaten to gain access to the soft scale beneath. |