Hyperaspis trifurcata

Hyperaspis trifurcata, also known as the trident lady beetle, is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is found in North America,^[1][2][3] where it has been recorded from Mexico (Durango), Arizona and Texas. It has been deliberately introduced as a biological control agent in Israel, targeting invasive populations of Dactylopius opuntiae,^[4] and has recently been recorded in Jordan.^[5] Both larvae and adults are specialist predators of the cochineal scale (Dactylopius spp.), which feed on prickly pear cacti of the genus Opuntia.^[6] The larval and pupal stages are parasitized by the encyrtid wasp Homalotylus cockerelli.^[7] Females lay their eggs in the wax secreted by cochineal scales to conceal them from parasites, where the larvae continue to shelter after hatching.^[8][9] The gut microbiome of H. trifurcata has been shown to contain bacteria which may aid in the digestion of carminic acid, a toxic substance found in the cochineal scale's hemolymph.^[10] The beetles also appropriate carminic acid to deter predation by ants, lending the larvae a red color.^[11]

Adults reach a length of about 2.3–3 mm. The pronotum is black with a reddish yellow lateral border. The elytra are black with a variable red or yellow pattern.^[12] The species' name originates from this pattern's resemblance to a trident. Males can be identified by white coloration on the face.^[9]

• Short documentary on cochineal, including footage of the larval stage of H. trifurcata.