22 Spot Ladybird - Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata

The brightest of the yellow British ladybirds, it always has 22 spots, which rarely join up. It is a small ladybird at 3 to 4.5 mm. There are two colour varieties, one where the pronotum is yellow, the other where it is white.

This species is relatively easy to identify and is unlikely to be confused with anything else. However photos are always helpful to confirm your record.

As a mildew feeder, the 22-spot Ladybird is best looked for amongst low vegetation.

April to August.

It is unusual amongst ladybirds in that eats mildew, grazing from the soil surface or from low herbage.

The 22 spot is fairly frequent throughout England, but less so in Scotland and Wales.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.