''Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata'' (often abbreviated to ''Psyllobora 22-punctata''), the 22-spot ladybird, (earlier known as ''Thea vigintiduopunctata'') is a common, 3–5 mm long

ladybird Coccinellidae () is a widespread family of small beetles. They are commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in the United Kingdom; "lady" refers to mother Mary. Entomologists use the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles ...

native to Europe. This species was originally discovered in Germany in 1874 on the leaves of Astragalus, consuming the hyphae of Erysiphe holosericea. The

elytra An elytron (; ; : elytra, ) is a modified, hardened forewing of beetles (Coleoptera), though a few of the true bugs (Hemiptera) such as the family Schizopteridae are extremely similar; in true bugs, the forewings are called hemelytra (sometime ...

are yellow in colour with 22 black spots. The pronotum is yellow or white with 5 black spots. This is the only ladybird species in Britain and Ireland where the three life stages have very similar coloring and pattern; the pupa and larva look similar to the adult form, making them conspicuous and easier to identify. Unlike most other ladybirds which feed on

aphid Aphids are small sap-sucking insects in the Taxonomic rank, family Aphididae. Common names include greenfly and blackfly, although individuals within a species can vary widely in color. The group includes the fluffy white Eriosomatinae, woolly ...

s, ''P. 22-punctata'' eats

mildew Mildew is a form of fungus. It is distinguished from its closely related counterpart, mold, largely by its colour: molds appear in shades of black, blue, red, and green, whereas mildew is white. It appears as a thin, superficial growth consisti ...

— especially from

umbellifer Apiaceae () or Umbelliferae is a family of mostly aromatic flowering plants named after the type genus '' Apium,'' and commonly known as the celery, carrot, or parsley family, or simply as umbellifers. It is the 16th-largest family of flowering ...

s and low-growing shrubs . The 22-spot ladybird is best looked for amongst low vegetation. It has occasionally been found in woodlands, on lower branches of young trees and in some coastal areas. In a survey conducted between 1960 and 1965 by G.I. Savoiskaya in South-Eastern Kazakhstan, up to 500 individuals were found overwintering together in the leaf litter at the bases of birches, hawthorns and wild apple trees. These instances were noted as being found between 1000 meters and 2000 meters above sea level. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew officially recorded their first 22-spot lady bird in 1969, publishing this finding along with many other additions to their wild flora and fauna records. The hemolymph of the 22-spot ladybird beetle contains a dimeric alkaloid, psylloborine A, which has unique structural features, highlighting the species' complex chemical defenses and evolutionary adaptations.

In Popular Culture

Philately

The 22-spot ladybird has been featured on multiple postage stamps around the world. * 2008 - Jersey. Listed under its former name of ''Thea vigintiduopunctata''. Part of an illustrated six stamp "Insects" release. Designed by W. Oliver. * 2015 - Belarus. A set of four illustrated and embossed "Insects; Ladybirds" (also sometimes listed as "2015 Beetles") stamps issued. Designed by Marina Vitkovskaya and Alexander Mityanin. * 2017 - Slovenia. A set of three "Fauna; Ladybird" stamps issued. Designed by Robert Žvokelj. * 2017 - India. A set of four illustrated "Ladybird Beetles of India" stamps issued. Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata had a face value of 15 Indian rupee. * 2018 - Netherlands. Part of the "Experience Nature" series, featured in a ten stamp panel in the Insects and Spiders release. Designed by Frank Janse. * 2024 - Romania. A set of four ladybird photographic stamps issued. Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata had a face value of 5 Romanian Lei. Designed by George Ursachi.

References

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q243794 Psylloborine A is distinguished from other alkaloids because of its two unbranched chains of 13 carbon units form two independent 2-methylazaphenalene systems. Coccinellidae Beetles of Europe Beetles described in 1758 Articles containing video clips Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus