Novius cardinalis

The adult has a semispherical body, 2–4 millimetres (5⁄64–5⁄32 in) long, covered with dense, short hairs. It is reddish-purple with black spots localized in several parts of its body, forming a net of contours between the spots. The head, posterior part of the prothorax across the full width, and the scutellum are all black.

 

There are typically five black spots on the elytron. Four of those are arranged on the dorsolateral part of the elytron. The two anterior spots form a roughly half-moon-shaped oval with the convexity directed towards the suture of the elytron. The two posterior ones make a more irregular shape, formed by the intersection of two circular spots. Finally, the fifth spot covers the length of the elytron's suture, enlarging towards the posterior stretch.

Each antenna is short and slightly clubbed, composed of 8 items, of which the proximal is markedly pulled aside. The legs have an extended and irregularly flattened tibia, forming a space housing the tarsus when at rest. The tarsus is composed of 3 tarsomeres, as in all coccinellids.

The larva is around 5 millimetres (25⁄128 in) long, reddish as the mature beetle or greyish, with black spots on the thorax. The left side has a series of tubercles, each bearing short bristles. The pupa is 4–5 millimetres (5⁄32–25⁄128 in) long. It is red which darkens with age as the abdomen darkens.

 

N. cardinalis regularly feed on aphids and small mites, which makes them good as biological control agents. They are only predatory to things smaller than them. Most of their food is herbivores, as carnivores are more likely to injure them as they are slow. Their flying capacities are limited so hunting in the air is not possible.

It is an active predator of cottony cushion scale Icerya purchasi.

N. cardinalis was accidentally introduced to New Zealand, though they are no longer very common.^[5] An outbreak of cottony cushion scale in California took place in the late 19th century, which led to some being imported from New Zealand in 1888 to help protect citrus trees.^[5]

There is a seat in the Palmer Gardens in North Adelaide, South Australia carrying a plaque that reads:

In recognition of the first ever major biological control success – the spectacular control of the cotton cushion scale insect in Californian citrus orchards by the predatory vedalia ladybird beetle.

Collected in North Adelaide in 1888.

Sponsored by the Australian Entomological Society, officially unveiled by the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, on the occasion of the AGM of the Society, 27 September 1995

N. cardinalis was introduced into Californian citrus orchards in late 1888.^[2][5]

Novius cardinalis is widespread to all continents except Antarctica: America (US, Central America, Caribbean, South America, from Venezuela to Chile and Argentina), Europe (Iberian Peninsula, France, Italy, Balkans, Russia), in Asia (Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Taiwan, Siberia), in Africa (northern Africa, South Africa), in Oceania (Hawaii, Guam) and, of course, in its home region, Australia.