T. 22-punctata
         C. 7-punctata
         C. tenebrionis
         O. nasicornis
         C. aurata
         C. aeruginosa
         E. pareyssei
         E. faber
         C. cordigera

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Unless otherwise noted, all pictures on this site were taken in Pelion, Greece, shown on the map below.

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View images of the Common Toad, an ugly, bulky, but really sweet creature with an interesting... nightlife.

  Veggie of the Month

Learn about the Salsify, a beautiful plant, with edible and medicinal properties, that is currently blooming in Pelion.

  Cool Destination

Visit Mourtias, one of Pelion's most picturesque beaches on the Aegean coast.

  Exciting Site

Tour the Volos Archaeological Museum, a pretty century-old building, whose exhibits span a historical period of over 10 millennia!

  Month's Wallpaper

Download a fantastic picture of a rickety jetty in Lefokastron, Pelion, taken by Huw Jones.

Loading image. Please wait 22-spot Ladybird (Thea 22-punctata), Mating Couple :: 2002/08/16 :: Horton :: © A.Papadopoulos 22-spot Ladybird (Thea 22-punctata), Mating Couple :: 2002/08/16 :: Horton :: © A.Papadopoulos No image! No image! No image!

22-spot Ladybird

Thea 22-punctata

Also known as Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata, this beautiful, tiny ladybird, which is only 3-4 mm (approx. 1/8 in) in length, derives its name from the 22 black spots that mark its bright yellow  elytra.

Unlike most ladybirds, this one is not carnivorous. Instead, it feeds on mildews and other microscopic fungi that grow on plant tissues; hence, it can be usually found on low vegetation of all kinds. Because of its habits, it is considered beneficial, as it can help reduce the incidence of certain fungal diseases in plants.

Thea 22-punctata, which is very common in the Pelion region, hibernates during the winter, often in groups of several individuals.

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Fact Sheet

Food
Mildews and fungi.

Active
March - October.

Habitat
Grasslands, on vegetation of all kinds.

Distribution
Throughout most of Europe, as far North as the U.K.


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Taxonomy


Superkingdom: Eukaryota; Kingdom: Metazoa; Phylum: Arthropoda; Superclass: Hexapoda; Superclass: Hexapoda; Class: Insecta; Subclass: Neoptera; Order: Coleoptera; Family: Coccinellidae; Genus: Thea; Species: 22-punctata

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