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Chilocorus bipustulatus
The elytra of this small beetle have a shining brown color with two reddish-orange spots on each elytron (Lat. bipustulatus, means two-blistered). Sometime three spots run in an horizontal line and join into two larger stains. The mature larva is about 5 mm long. Wintering occurs as an adult. The adults grow up to 3 - 5 mm long and can be encountered from May through October. Heather ladybirds feed on aphids and scale insects, small insects mainly belonging to the family Coccidae and Diaspididae. Therefore this species has been introduced worldwide for biological control in case of infestations.
These beetles are found in most of Europe, in East Palearctic ecozone, in the Near East and in North Africa.
Spotted on Aug 11, 2013
Submitted on Aug 11, 2013
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