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Exochomus quadripustulatus

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Exochomus quadripustulatus
Adult Exochomus quadripustulatus
Scientific classification
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E. quadripustulatus
Binomial name
Exochomus quadripustulatus
Synonyms

Exochomus quadripustulatus, common name pine ladybird or pine lady beetle, is a species of beetle of the family Coccinellidae.[1][2][3] The distribution range of E. quadripustulatus includes Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America.[2]

Description

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Exochomus quadripustulatus can reach a length of about 4-6 millimeters. It is almost circular, convex and shining, with a flange around the base. The color is quite variable and may change with ageing. Usually elytra are black with two larger red comma-shaped spots and two smaller red round or oval spots. The color of these spots can also be orange or yellow, but completely reddish brown specimens may occur. The pine ladybird in both adult and larval stages preys aphids and scale insects, especially Diaspidiotus perniciosus. Adults overwinter.

Distribution

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This species is present in most of Europe, in the eastern Palearctic realm, and in the Near East. It was first recorded in Ireland (County Armagh) in 2014.[4]

Habitat

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This fairly common ladybug can be found from April to October on conifers and in areas with deciduous trees, but it can also occur elsewhere.

Ecology/Biological Control

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Exochomus quadripustulatus helps with biological control in infested areas by being a candidate predator of Toumeyella parvicornis, an alien pest that infests stone pines; it has been observed to be more attracted to conspecific and heterospecific ladybugs than Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, another candidate predator, and responds to prey more quickly.[5]

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References

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  1. ^ McClarin, Jim; Moisset, Beatriz; Entz, Chuck; Quinn, Mike; Moyer, Tim; belov, v; Parker, Harsi S.; Parker, Abigail (18 September 2006) [Last updated 11 July 2017]. "Species Brumus quadripustulatus - Pine Lady Beetle". Bugguide. Iowa State University.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey (2013). "Brumus quadripustulatus (Linnaeus, 1758)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. doi:10.5066/F7KH0KBK. Taxonomic Serial No.: 692613.
  3. ^ "Pine Lady Beetle : Brumus quadripustulatus (Linnaeus 1758)". Encyclopedia of Life. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.
  4. ^ Foster, Stephen; Nelson, Brian; Anderson, Roy (December 2018). "Pine ladybird Exochomus quadripustulatus (Linnaeus) (Coccinellidae) new to Ireland". The Coleopterist. 27 (3): 114. ISSN 0965-5794. Web of Science ZOOREC:ZOOR15503017546.
  5. ^ Di Sora, Nicolò; Rossini, Luca; Contarini, Mario; Virla, Eduardo Gabriel; Speranza, Stefano (June 2024). "Are the ladybugs Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and Exochomus quadripustulatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) candidate predators of Toumeyella parvicornis (Hemiptera: Coccidae)?". Pest Management Science. 80 (6): 2881–2891. doi:10.1002/ps.7996. ISSN 1526-498X.
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Further reading

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