Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata

Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Coccinellidae
Genus:	Henosepilachna
Species:	H. vigintioctopunctata
Binomial name
Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fabricius, 1775)
Synonyms
Coccinella 28-punctata Fabricius, 1775 Coccinella sparsa Herbst, 1786 Epilachna gradaria Mulsant, 1850 Epilachna territa Mulsant, 1850 Epilachna vigintioctopunctata Auctt. Epilachna sparsa Auctt.

Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata is a species of beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is commonly known as the 28-spotted potato ladybird or the Hadda beetle. It feeds on the foliage of potatoes and other solanaceous crops. It was previously called Epilachna vigintioctopunctata and is a cryptic species complex. It is very often confused with a closely related species, Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata, which occurs in Russia, China, Japan, and Korea, and is given the same "common name".

Distribution

This species is native to southeastern Asia, primarily India, but has been accidentally introduced to other parts of the world, including Australia and New Zealand. It has also been recorded from Brazil and Argentina, beginning in 1996.

Economic significance

This species causes damage to agricultural crops primarily in the family Solanaceae, especially potatoes; other crops include pumpkin, turnips, radishes, beans and spinach.

Gallery

• 
  Potato ladybeetle (Cairns, Queensland)
• 
  Head on view
• 
  Rear view (different specimen)

External links

• The Epilachna vigintioctopunctata Complex