Redtenbacher's dwarf ladybug

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Redtenbacher's dwarf ladybug
Nephus redtenbacheri (5947240973) .jpg

Redtenbacher's dwarf ladybug ( Nephus redtenbacheri )

Systematics
Family : Ladybird (Coccinellidae)
Subfamily : Coccinellinae
Tribe : Scymnini
Genre : Nephus
Subgenus : Nephus
Type : Redtenbacher's dwarf ladybug
Scientific name
Nephus redtenbacheri
( Mulsant , 1846)
Dorsal view

Redtenbacher's dwarf ladybird ( Nephus redtenbacheri ) is a beetle from the Scymnini tribe within the ladybird family . The beetle species was named after the Austrian entomologist Ludwig Redtenbacher .

features

The elongated oval ladybirds reach a length of 1.3–2.3 mm. They have a black basic color. The beetle's body is covered with short, light-colored hairs. The antennae and legs are colored orange. A large, reddish longitudinal spot extends over each of the nominate-shaped wing coverts , which is typically in the middle and does not extend to the wing edges and the wing cover seam. Completely black specimens are not uncommon. In contrast, the subspecies N. r. limonii usually a constriction, in some specimens two spots appear.

distribution

The species is widespread in Europe. The species is also represented in the British Isles . Their occurrence extends far into northern Europe. In the Alps, the beetles occur at heights of 2000  m . The distribution area of Nephus redtenbacheri limonii extends over the salt marshes along the North Sea coast of England, the Netherlands and Norway.

Way of life

The adults hibernate under leaves and moss or in the herb layer. The adult beetles can usually be seen between mid-March and late June. The species prefers wetlands, moors, moist forest edges, but also dry slopes, heather, dunes and sandy soils as a habitat. The beetles are often found on reeds ( phragmites ). Low-growing herbaceous plants and the real hops ( Humulus lupulus ) serve as host plants . The subspecies N. r. limonii uses the common sea lavender ( Limonium vulgare ) as a host plant . The beetles eat aphids and scale insects , including Acanthococcus granulatus .

Taxonomy

The species belongs within the genus Nephus to the subgenus Nephus of the same name . The subgenus Nephus (Nephus) differs from other subgenus of the group such as Nephus (Bipunctatus) and Nephus (Geminosipho) by 11-part antennae . A distinction is made between two subspecies within the species:

  • Nephus redtenbacheri redtenbacheri ( Donisthorpe , 1903), the nominate form
  • Nephus redtenbacheri limonii ( Mulsant , 1846), also known as the beach dwarf ladybug , was previously considered a separate species

Synonyms of Nephus redtenbacheri are:

  • Scymnus redtenbacheri Mulsant , 1846
  • Scymnus mulsanti Waterhouse , 1862
  • Scymnus lividus Bold , 1872

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e f Heinz Freude, Karl Wilhelm Harde (ed.), Gustav Adolf Lohse (ed.): Die Käfer Mitteleuropas. Volume 7: Clavicornia. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Munich 1967, ISBN 3-8274-0681-1 , p. 63.
  2. ↑ a b c d e Arved Lompe: Beetle of Europe - Nephus . www.coleo-net.de. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  3. ↑ a b c d e f Nephus redtenbacheri (Mulsant, 1846) . UK Beetle Recording. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  4. ↑ a b c d Nephus redtenbacheri at Fauna Europaea. Retrieved April 4, 2019
  5. ↑ a b c d e Klaus Koch: Die Käfer Mitteleuropas - Ökologie - Volume 2. Goecke & Evers Verlag, Krefeld 1989, ISBN 3-87263-040-7 , pp. 243, 253.

Web links

Commons : Nephus redtenbacheri  - collection of images, videos and audio files