Wingless-polymorphism

Guides

• Subcoccinella vigintiquatuorpunctata

  24-spot Ladybird, Alfalfa Lady Beetle

  A small ladybird beetle, 3–4 mm long, with a domed shape and velvety, hair-covered wing-cases. Unlike most ladybirds, it is herbivorous, feeding on fungal mycelium rather than aphids. The species shows high variability in spot patterns, typically bearing 20–24 black spots on a dark orange background, though melanic and spotless forms occur. Winglessness is common, particularly in western populations, with flight ability varying geographically.

  ladybirdladybugEpilachninaemycophagousherbivorouswingless-polymorphismpowdery-mildewfungivoreOld-World-distributionintroduced-species