Shiny Black Ladybird Beetle (Chilocorinae?)
Observed near Moshi, Tanzania, on citrus with scale insects. December 2013. Length is about 3mm.
Beyond the many colorfully patterned lady beetle species, there are many that are either all black or dull gray. They can usually be recognized by their convex, helmet shape and by their close association with homopteran insects. Without lady bird beetles these pests would be even more troublesome; every effort should be made to conserve these beneficial insects within agricultural settings by minimizing pesticides.