Hippodamia variegata

Hippodamia variegata
Hippodamia variegata var. novempunctata
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Coccinellidae
Genus:	Hippodamia
Species:	H. variegata
Binomial name
Hippodamia variegata (Goeze, 1777)
Synonyms
Adonia variegata (Goeze) Coccinella variegata Goeze, 1777

Hippodamia variegata, the Adonis ladybird, also known as the variegated ladybug (US) and spotted amber ladybeetle (Aus), is a species of ladybeetle belonging to the family Coccinellidae, subfamily Coccinellinae.

Habitat and distribution

This species is native in the Palearctic, but has also spread to the Nearctic and Oriental region. It has been found outside its native range countries such as Australia, South Africa, Kenya, India, China, Canada, the United States, and Chile, often through intended introduction to control crop pests.

This species mainly inhabits fields, meadows, gardens and shrubs, more than bushes and trees. It prefers dry, rough vegetation.

Identification

Hippodamia variegata grow up to 3–5.5 millimetres (0.12–0.22 in). These beetles have a slightly convex and rather elongated body. The first segment of the anterior legs of males is greatly expanded. Head is black, with dark eyes and white spots. Pronotum is black, with a white-yellowish border and a central black mask shaped marking. Elytra are red or orange, with a very variable number of black points (from zero up to thirteen). One black spot surrounded by white is located on the scutellum. The legs are blackish brown, with brown ends. The underside of the body is black.

• 
  Adults
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  Egg
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  Larva
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  Pupa
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  Imago

References

• Media related to Hippodamia variegata at Wikimedia Commons
• Data related to Hippodamia variegata at Wikispecies