Twenty-spotted Lady Beetle
Psyllobora vigintimaculata
Unlike most of its predatory ladybug cousins that devour aphids, this species is a dedicated vegetarian that eats only plant-damaging mildew.
- Scientific name
- Psyllobora vigintimaculata
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Coleoptera › Coccinellidae › Psyllobora
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous forests, meadows, gardens, and agricultural fields where powdery mildew is present.
- Diet
- Fungivorous, feeding exclusively on powdery mildew fungi on the surfaces of leaves.
- Range
- North America
- Size
- 1.5 to 3.0 mm
- Lifespan
- Up to 1 year
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Widespread chemical pesticide application and loss of diverse edge habitats.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. You can safely observe or gently hold this tiny beetle. It does not bite or sting humans, though it may release a yellow, bitter fluid (reflex bleeding) from its joints if stressed. Wash hands after handling.
Psyllobora vigintimaculata , the twenty-spotted lady beetle , is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is found in North America.
Photo: cgmayers, CC0, via iNaturalist
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