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
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 wingcases.
Filsham Reedbeds, E. Sussex
Pigneys Wood, North Walsham, Norfolk
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Gifford Wood, Epping Forest, Essex
Gifford Wood, Epping Forest, Essex
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Rainham RSPB, Essex
Bowers Marsh, Lee Valley, Herts
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
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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.
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.
Additional photographs
Pevensey Levels, E. Sussex
Pevensey Levels, E. Sussex
