Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) ➔ Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods) ➔ Class Insecta (Insects) ➔ Order Coleoptera (Beetles) ➔ Family Coccinellidae (Ladybirds)

Adalia (Adalia) bipunctata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Zweipunkt-Marienkäfer Two-spot Ladybird

Synonyms and other combinations: ∇
  • Adalia bipunctata 2772
    Adalia bipunctata (Linnaeus, 1758)  Zweipunkt-Marienkäfer  Two-spot Ladybird 
    Adalia bipunctata
    DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf; 2006-10-12 13:04:08
    Image number: 2772

    DE, Chemnitz, Markersdorf
    2006-10-12 13:04:08
  • Adalia bipunctata, mating 2730
    Adalia bipunctata (Linnaeus, 1758)  Zweipunkt-Marienkäfer  Two-spot Ladybird 
    Adalia bipunctata, mating
    DE, Chemnitz, Hutholz; 2007-04-22 11:09:02
    Image number: 2730
    mating
    DE, Chemnitz, Hutholz
    2007-04-22 11:09:02
  • Adalia bipunctata, mating 2731
    Adalia bipunctata (Linnaeus, 1758)  Zweipunkt-Marienkäfer  Two-spot Ladybird 
    Adalia bipunctata, mating
    DE, Chemnitz, Hutholz; 2007-04-22 11:08:25
    Image number: 2731
    mating
    DE, Chemnitz, Hutholz
    2007-04-22 11:08:25
  • Adalia bipunctata, mating 2732
    Adalia bipunctata (Linnaeus, 1758)  Zweipunkt-Marienkäfer  Two-spot Ladybird 
    Adalia bipunctata, mating
    DE, Chemnitz, Hutholz; 2007-04-22 11:09:18
    Image number: 2732
    mating
    DE, Chemnitz, Hutholz
    2007-04-22 11:09:18

Classification:
Adalia bipunctata belongs to the subfamily Coccinellinae, tribe Coccinellini.
Distribution:
Holarctic (Europe, Asia, North Africa, North America); introduced in parts of Australia for pest control.
Habitat:
Forests, parks, gardens, hedges, meadows; in almost all habitats.
Description:
The Two-spot Ladybird Adalia bipunctata has a body length of 3.5 - 5.5 mm. Legs are black. Its mostly red-black colored wing-covers (elytra) have a variable marking. This page shows the name-giving red colour form with two black dots on the elytra and a white pronotum with black markings, as well as an equally common, predominantly black colour form with red shoulders and a black pronotum. In addition to these, there are a number of other, usually much rarer colour forms. The coloration of the beetles is determined by the genes and influenced by the environmental conditions.
Biology:
The Two-spot Ladybird forms 1 to 2 generations per year. Females lay their eggs near aphid colonies. After hatching, the larvae pass through 4 larval stages until pupation. Both the larvae and the adult beetles feed on aphids.
Adalia bipunctata hibernates as imago under tree bark, in moss or in other protected places. Often houses are visited for hibernation.
Note:
Adalia bipunctata is used for biological control of aphids in greenhouses.

References, further reading, links:
  1. de Jong, Y.S.D.M. (ed.) (2013) Fauna Europaea version 2.6.2 Web Service available online at https://fauna-eu.org/
  2. Christoph Benisch: Färbungsvariabilität bei den Coccinellidae
  3. Harde, Severa: Der Kosmos Käferführer: Die Käfer Mitteleuropas, Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & KG, Stuttgart, ISBN 3-440-07682-2.