Novius cruentatus (Mulsant)
Taxonomic placing: Insecta, Holometabola, Coleoptera, Coccinellidae.
Morphology: Adult with black head surrounded by red margins. Elytra black with 3 pairs of red spots and red margins. Legs red. Dorsum of larva dark red, mid-dorsum paler.
Geographical distribution: Spain, Poland, North Africa and Israel.
Economic importance: This beetle was introduced into Israel from Spain for the control of Palaeococcus fuscipennis. It became established and greatly reduces large pest populations.
References
Mendel, Z., Assael, F., Zeidan, S. and Zehavi, A. 1998. Classical biological control of Palaeococcus fuscipennis (Burmeister) (Homoptera: Margarodidae) in Israel. Biological Control 12: 151–157.
Klausnitzer, B. Schneide, K. and. Stubbe, A. 1979. Zum Vorkommen von Novius cruentatus (Col. Coccinellidae) in der Dübener Heide. Hcrcynia N. F. 16: 106- lO9.
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