Ladybird Adonis or 10-spot?

JRsbugs · #1 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 04:18 PM

Hi,

An interesting one! The body looks like a 10-spot, the pattern on the pronotum looks to me closer to the Adonis which I have had in the past.

Size 4-5mm, taken on 9th May 2010.

Janet

Klaas Reißmann · #2 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 06:15 PM

Hi Janet,

this one kills me. It is a Hippodamia, but I have no idea, which one. Most of all I think it is Hippodamia variegata, but there is to much that does not fit in my mind. So far I have to capitulate. I would like to try on the beetle itself, but I think you don't have it.

Maybe someone else can better than me.

Regards
Klaas

JRsbugs · #3 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 06:32 PM

Hi Klaas, I'm glad I'm not the only one being killed by it!

I have spent so long trying to match it up to one species, but I'm beginning to think they must interbreed!

When it comes down to the nitty gritty, I am going on the pronotum pattern which does point to Hippodamia variegata (or Adonis LB). It doesn't have that elongated body shape though!

No I don't have one, I don't collect them.

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 06:40 PM

Another one I did consider is the 13-spot LB Hippodamia 13-punctata.

I don't think that is any closer to be honest!

Klaas Reißmann · #5 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 09:01 PM

Hi Janet,

I went threw the Hippodamia forward and backward and forward again. I couldn't find any that matches, but H. variegata most of all.

I guess I have to look for it by the determinationkeys when I have the time for this.

Regards
Klaas

JRsbugs · #6 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 10:20 PM

Thanks Klaas, such an unusual one is good for the experience!

I agree though that Hippodamia variegata is the closest match, maybe it's a plump female.

Paul mabbott · #7 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 08:14 AM

Adalia decempunctata - brown legs, an orange rim to the elytra (10-spots often never become completely red). The body shape is that of Adalia rather than Hippodamia which tend to be elongated and slightly flatter.

Paul mabbott · #8 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 04:23 PM

PS: a helpful tip for all the small red ladybirds which can have very variable spot numbers : as the number of spots on the Adonis' reduce, they lose spots at the front; 11-spot lose them from the back; 10-spots lose them from the front/back! Going simply on spot pattern would suggest that these are Coccinella undecimpunctata!

Another example of why we need to take into account as many features as possible!

In this picture you can see that the shoulder spots have almost disappeared:

The distinctive pronotal pattern is present (although this isn't always too clear).
The legs are parti-coloured - femora black, tibiae brown.
The white patch around the scutellar spot is not commonly seen on 10-spot.
The male, as usual, is smaller than the female.
Hope that helps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Adalia decempunctata - brown legs, an orange rim to the elytra (10-spots often never become completely red). The body shape is that of Adalia rather than Hippodamia which tend to be elongated and slightly flatter.

JRsbugs · #9 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 05:18 PM

Great information Paul, thanks! I did originally mark this as a 10-spot, then started to wonder.

If I can just remember which way they lose the spots from...

Klaas Reißmann · #10 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 08:55 PM

Thanks to Paul. For me it seems to be right, but somehow I'm still a bit confused about this one.

Janet, why don't you ask Christoph if he wants to use your Adalia decempunctata for his Lady-birds variations? Give him a "Hello!" of me so he knows where it comes from.

Regards
Klaas