Data from: Phylogeny, classification and evolution of ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) based on simultaneous analysis of molecular and morphological data

Ladybird beetles (family Coccinellidae) are a species-rich, ecologically
diverse group of substantial agricultural significance, yet have been
consistently problematic to classify, with evolutionary relationships
poorly understood. In order to identify major clades within Coccinellidae,
evaluate the current classification system, and identify likely drivers of
diversification in this polyphagous group, we conducted the first
simultaneous Bayesian analysis of morphological and multi-locus molecular
data for any beetle family. Addition of morphological data significantly
improved phylogenetic resolution and support for early diverging lineages,
thereby better resolving evolutionary relationships than either data type
alone. On the basis of these results, we formally recognize the
subfamilies Microweisinae and Coccinellinae sensu Ślipiński (2007). No
significant support was found for the subfamilies Coccidulinae, Scymninae,
Sticholotidinae, or Ortaliinae. Our phylogenetic results suggest that the
evolutionary success of Coccinellidae is in large part attributable to the
exploitation of ant-tended sternorrhynchan insects as a food source,
enabled by the key innovation of unusual defense mechanisms in larvae.