Distinguishing Hippodamia spp. lady beetles (Coccinellidae). A: Hippodamia convergens is named for the two converging white marks on its thorax, but some forms of at least six other Hippodamia spp. have similar markings. B: Hippodamia spp. appear more leggy than other lady beetles because the tips of the femur portion of their legs clearly extend beyond their body when viewed from above. C: Hippodamia spp. also can be distinguished from similar-looking lady beetles because their tarsal claws are cleft or forked. D: The feet of lady beetles in other genera have a single narrow to broad claw or pad. E: Lady beetles have three distinct tarsal segments on their feet. Leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae, similar-looking beetles not shown) appear to have four tarsal segments on their feet. Credit: Celeste Green. Adult from Hagen K. 1982. Notes on the Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens). Univ. Calf. Agric. Sci. Leaflet 2502. Tarsi from Gordon RD. 1985. The Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) of America North of Mexico. J. New York Entomol. Soc. Used with permission
