Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata explained

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 native to Europe.^[1] This species was originally discovered in Germany in 1874 on the leaves of Astragalus, consuming the hyphae of Erysiphe holosericea.^[2] The elytra are yellow in colour with 22 black spots. The pronotum is yellow or white with 5 black spots.^[3] Unlike most other ladybirds which feed on aphids, P. 22-punctata eats mildew — especially from umbellifers and low-growing shrubs .^[4] The 22-spot ladybird is best looked for amongst low vegetation.^[5]

The hemolymph of the 22-spot ladybird beetle contains a new dimeric alkaloid, psylloborine A, which has unique structural features, highlighting the species' complex chemical defenses and evolutionary adaptations. ^[6]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 22-spot ladybird . . 2006 . G. Bradley.
2. Karataraki . K. . Goumenaki . E. . Raftakis . E. . Goutos . D. . Kapetanakis . E. . 2015-11-08 . First record of the mycophagous ladybird Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata on greenhouse cucumber plants in Crete (Greece) . Entomologia Hellenica . en . 24 . 2 . 37–41 . 10.12681/eh.11544 . 2459-3885. free .
3. Ansari Pour A, Shakarami J. Recognition of ladybird fauna (Col.: Coccinellidae) in the alfalfa fields of Khorramabad. The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences. 2012; 22(4):939-943.
4. Book: Collins Field Guide: Insects of Britain and Northern Europe. 3rd edition . Michael Chinery . Michael Chinery . 0-00-219918-1 . 1993 . HarperCollins.
5. Stronger diversity effects with increased environmental stress: A study of multitrophic interactions between oak, powdery mildew and ladybirds. Mathias. Dilllen. PLOS ONE. April 18, 2017. 12. 4. e0176104. 10.1371/journal.pone.0176104. 28419174. 5395233. free.
6. Schröder . Frank C. . Tolasch . Till . October 1998 . Psylloborine A, a new dimeric alkaloid from a ladybird beetle . Tetrahedron . en . 54 . 40 . 12243–12248 . 10.1016/S0040-4020(98)00753-4.