Mulsantina picta (the painted lady beetle or pine lady beetle) is a species of ladybug belonging to the subfamily Coccinellinae.
Description Mulsantina picta is a small ladybug, typically long, and wide. The elytral markings are quite variable, and sometimes absent. The pronotal markings are more constant and recognizable.
Distribution and habitat Mulsantina picta is widespread across the United States and southern Canada. It is especially associated with pine forests,Ecology and Behaviour of the Ladybird Beetles and is an aphid and adelgid predator.Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America This makes M. picta a rather dominant species in older pine trees habitats (since they are a conifer specialist), which are known to have low aphid densities.
References
External links Bugguide on Mulsantina Picta Description of new species of coleopterous insects inhabiting the state of Maine, by J. W. Randall