Your photo (labelled Epilachna admirabilis) actually shows Henosepilachna boisduvali (syn. Epilachna boisduvali) instead, otherwise commonly known as Twelve-Spotted Gourd Ladybird (兰屿茄十二星瓢虫).
For Henosepilachna boisduvali, all of its 12 spots -- including the 4 spots nearest the sutural mid-line of the elytra -- are clearly-separated. The 4 spots nearest sutural mid-line are never joined or touching.
In non-melanic spotted morphs of Epilachna admirabilis (瓜黑斑瓢虫), the 2 pairs of spots along sutural mid-line of the elytra are conjoined (ie. touching each other) or merged. In fact, this "conjoined/ merged" characteristic typifies both the spotted & banded morphs of this polymorphic species.
Using your other ladybird posts as photographic examples: * 08 Nov 2012 -- labelled Epilachna admirabilis => correct * 05 Nov 2012 -- labelled Epilachna admirabilis => correct * 03 Nov 2012 -- labelled Epilachna admirabilis => should be Henosepilachna boisduvali
References for Henosepilachna boisduvali: * Photos & Info (Taiwan Biodiversity) * Photos (Meloidae Databank) * Photo (Gifu University, Japan) * Li & Cook. Epilachninae of Taiwan. Pacific Insects 3 (1) : 31-91, April 20, 1961 -- Pg 47-48: Species description -- Pg 37: Line diagrams of Henosepilachna spp. (elytron patterns) * Taxonomic Info (National Center for Biotechnology Information) * Taxonomic Info -- Hodek, Ivo, et al. Ecology and Behaviour of the Ladybird Beetles (Coccinellidae). John Wiley & Sons, Apr 2012
References for Epilachna admirabilis: * Photos & Info (Taiwan Biodiversity) * Photos (Insects of Taiwan) -- features other morphs as well * Photos (Meloidae Databank)
Your photo (labelled Epilachna admirabilis) actually shows Henosepilachna boisduvali (syn. Epilachna boisduvali) instead, otherwise commonly known as Twelve-Spotted Gourd Ladybird (兰屿茄十二星瓢虫).
ReplyDeleteFor Henosepilachna boisduvali, all of its 12 spots -- including the 4 spots nearest the sutural mid-line of the elytra -- are clearly-separated. The 4 spots nearest sutural mid-line are never joined or touching.
In non-melanic spotted morphs of Epilachna admirabilis (瓜黑斑瓢虫), the 2 pairs of spots along sutural mid-line of the elytra are conjoined (ie. touching each other) or merged. In fact, this "conjoined/ merged" characteristic typifies both the spotted & banded morphs of this polymorphic species.
Using your other ladybird posts as photographic examples:
* 08 Nov 2012 -- labelled Epilachna admirabilis => correct
* 05 Nov 2012 -- labelled Epilachna admirabilis => correct
* 03 Nov 2012 -- labelled Epilachna admirabilis => should be Henosepilachna boisduvali
References for Henosepilachna boisduvali:
* Photos & Info (Taiwan Biodiversity)
* Photos (Meloidae Databank)
* Photo (Gifu University, Japan)
* Li & Cook. Epilachninae of Taiwan. Pacific Insects 3 (1) : 31-91, April 20, 1961
-- Pg 47-48: Species description
-- Pg 37: Line diagrams of Henosepilachna spp. (elytron patterns)
* Taxonomic Info (National Center for Biotechnology Information)
* Taxonomic Info -- Hodek, Ivo, et al. Ecology and Behaviour of the Ladybird Beetles (Coccinellidae). John Wiley & Sons, Apr 2012
References for Epilachna admirabilis:
* Photos & Info (Taiwan Biodiversity)
* Photos (Insects of Taiwan) -- features other morphs as well
* Photos (Meloidae Databank)