Pointed-keeled Ladybird Rhyzobius litura

Other Names: Small Brown Ladybird, Pointed-keeled Rhyzobius

A common species of grassland habitats.

Identification Length 2.5-3.0mm

A pale brown, long-bodied oval species with long antennae.

Colour variable. Some are a pale yellow-brown lacking any dark markings.

Others are typically darker, a light oak brown colour, often with a dark U-shaped mark on the hind wing case.

Some have more extensive dark markings and can overlap with paler Round-keeled Ladybirds.

The pronotum (between head and wingcases) is gently curved, often still widening as it reaches the wing cases.

filsham pointed keeled ladybird_0776.JPG

Filsham Reedbeds, E. Sussex

Pigneys Wood, North Walsham, Norfolk

Gifford Wood, Epping Forest, Essex

Gifford Wood, Epping Forest, Essex

Rainham RSPB, Essex

Bowers Marsh, Lee Valley, Herts

Cornmill Meadows, Lee Valley, Essex

Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, Essex

The prosternal keel ( on the underside between the front pair of legs ) forms a narrow triangle with a pointed end. It resembles The Shard building in London.

Underside image taken with digimicroscope

Prosternal keel visible in digital camera image taken in the field

Habitat

This is a common species of grassland, often found with 16-spot and 24-spot Ladybirds whilst sweep netting.

It can be found by eye, but patience or luck is required.

With 16-spot Ladybird

With 24-spot Ladybird

Often in drier habitats such as hayfields and can be especially common in coastal areas.

Grassland

Upshire, Essex

Occurs in damper sites, such as edges of ponds and ditches and can also be found in Nettle patches

Grass on edge of pond Upshire, Essex

Grassy hollow with nettles Upshire, Essex

Streamside grasses and herbage

Cornmill Meadows, Lee Valley, Essex

Slightly damp flush in area of dry grassland

Fishers Green, Lee Valley, Essex

Can occasionally be found in more mixed habitats, including gardens. I have found them in flower beds whilst clearing out old Daylilys Hemerocallis.

As ladybirds are mobile they can easily turn up in unexpected places and could be found amongst Round-keeled Ladybirds in ornamental shrubs. I have beaten 16-spot Ladybird

(another grassland specialist) out of Firethorn Pyracantha in a garden surrounded by grassland, so whilst habitat is a very good clue, other supporting features need to be checked.