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Brumus quadripustulatus

Brumus quadripustulatus (L.)

(Formerly known as Exochomus quadripustulatus (L.)).

Taxonomic placing: Insecta, Holometabola, Coleoptera, Coccinellidae.

Common name: Pine ladybird, fourteen-spot ladybird.

Distribution: Most of Europe, including Ireland, and the Middle East.

Morphology: The adult body is almost circular, convex, about 3-4.5 mm in length. The elytra are black, bearing 2 large, red (usually), comma-shaped spots, often with two smaller reddish spots behind them. These spots may sometimes be orange-to-yellow. A distinct rim or flange is present around the elytra. Head and legs black to brown. Mature larva brown-grey with a pair of strong dorsal spines on each segment and a whitish spot on the first abdominal segment.

Life history: The adults and larvae prey on Aphidoidea and Coccidae that infest various crops. It is active throughout spring and summer, overwintering in leaf litter or in bark crevices of various trees..

Economic importance: This ladybird preys on various Aphidoidea and Coccidae infesting avocado, olives and conifers.

References

Foster, S., Nelson, B. and Anderson, R. 2018. Pine ladybird Exochomus quadripustulatus (Linnaeus) (Coccinellidae) new to Ireland. The Coleopterist 27: 114.

Kovar I. 1995. Revision of the genera Brumus Muls. and Exochomus Redt. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of Palaearctic Region. Part 1. Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 44: 5-124.

Websites

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hXkkNjX-1I (Video). https://www.google.co.il/search?q=exochomus+quadripustulatus+wikipedia&tbm=isch&source=hp&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwid8be4mdnhAhUPKewKHe6oBBkQsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1280&bih=644

https://bugguide.net/node/view/77513