The adult is domed, up to 6 mm (0.24 in) long, a glossy black colour with two large reddish-brown spots on the elytra.

[6] Chilocorus cacti is native to the New World where its range includes the southern United States, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and the Caribbean region.

It has become established in South Africa, Eswatini, Morocco and São Tomé and Príncipe, India and New Zealand.

[7] This lady beetle is often found on prickly pear cacti (Opuntia), and on various trees, especially coconut palms.

[4] Both adults and larvae of this lady beetle are predators, feeding on scale insects; the species consumed vary with location but include Aonidiella aurantii, Aspidiotus destructor, Carulaspis minima, Coccus viridis, Melanaspis glomerata, Parlatoria blanchardi, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona, Selenaspidus articulatus,[7] Hemiberlesia lataniae and Aulacaspis yasumatsui, many of which are major pests of citrus and other crops.