Ladybirds of Australia

Every one knows the common ladybirds of gardens and childhood stories. Yet they are but a very few of the wide diversity of species assigned to the beetle family, Coccinellidae. The family name Coccinellidae probably derives from the diminutive of the Latinized Greek word 'Kokkos', a seed or berry in reference to their rounded and convex shape of the beetles. However, other authorities give the Latin Coccinus scarlet colour, as the root of the name. Some of the commonly seen ladybirds are brightly coloured and patterned, readily attracting the attention of home gardeners and small children. Most species are predatory, particularly on insects that are often pests of agriculture. Coccinellidae is the biggest family of superfamily Cucujoidea with about 6000 species classified in 370 genera worldwide. There are 57 genera and about 500 species in Australia with about half of them yet undescribed.