Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius, 1781)
A Six-spotted zigzag ladybird beetle feeds mainly on aphids and scale insects like all other ladybird beetles. This beetle has an orangish body with black spots on both sides of the body. Except the last pair of spots the rest are zigzag in shape. It is more orangish in colour ventrally.
A set of 23 eggs were laid on the Asclepias curassavica plant where lots of Aphids were seen.
Day 1. Eggs hatched.
Empty egg shells after the larvae hatched.
Day 2: First instar Larva.
Day 6: White spots begin to develop on the sides of the body.
Day 7: Orangish face is seen. More white spots develop on the back.
Day 8: Fully grown larvae.
Day 8: Feeding on an Aphid.
Day 9: The larva slowly gets into position to become a pupa.
Day 13: Pupa ready to emerge as an adult.
Day 15: Adult.
Adult of the same species with a different elytral pattern seen emerging from the pupa.
None of the ladybirds or the aphids were captured. The images are as observed in the garden.
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