''Hippodamia notata'' is a
species of
ladybird
Coccinellidae () is a widespread family of small beetles ranging in size from . They are commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in Great Britain. Some entomologists prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as they ...
belonging to the family
Coccinellidae
Coccinellidae () is a widespread family of small beetles ranging in size from . They are commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in Great Britain. Some entomologists prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as they ...
.
Varieties
* ''Hippodamia notata var. c-nigrum'' Della Beffa
* ''Hippodamia notata var. elongata ''Weise
* ''Hippodamia notata var. quinquesignata'' Friv.
Description
''Hippodamia notata'' can reach a length of . Adults have domed backs, mainly oval, with short legs and antennae. Pronotum is predominantly black, with white markings on the front edge. This species exhibits a remarkable variability of elytral color patterns. Elytra may be yellow-orange to red and wear large black spots. The legs are black, partially brown, the antennae are also brown. The
larvae are slightly flattened and covered with miniature spines.
Distribution
This species is present in most of Europe, in the East Palearctic ecozone and in the Near East.
Fauna europaea
/ref> It mainly inhabits forest edges and clearings.
Biology
Like most ladybugs, this species feeds on the larvae and adults of aphids.
Gallery
File:Hippodamia notata larva.jpg, Larva
File:Hippodamia notata02.jpg, Orange variant
File: Coccinellidae - Hippodamia notata-000.JPG, Red variant
File:Semiadalia notata 2006-08-04.jpg, Yellow variant
Bibliography
* Georg Möller, Reiner Grube, Ekkehard Wachmann: Der Fauna Käferführer I - Käfer im und am Wald Fauna-Verlag, Nottuln 2006, .
References
External links
Variability of elytral color patterns in ladybirds – kerbtier.de
Coccinellidae
Taxa named by Johann Nepomuk von Laicharting
Beetles described in 1781
{{Coccinellidae-stub