Featured speciesText © K. Reißmann, T. Hörren, M. Stern, F. Bötzl and C. Benisch
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11.10.2019
Exochomus nigromaculatus (Goeze, 1777)
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The 4 to 5 mm large ladybird Exochomus nigromaculatus (family Coccinellidae) is the rarer of the two representatives of the genus in Germany. The stenotopic, xerophilic species is distributed throughout the southern Palearctic and lives mostly on dry heathland, occasionally in pine forests and fens. The beetles can be found on Common Heather (Calluna), heaths (Erica) and Scotch Broom (Cytisus). The beetles prey on aphids, especially the mealy plum aphid Hyalopterus pruni. Although there are recent records from virtually all Federal States in Germany, the species is not often recorded and it is regarded as vulnerable (RL 3). In contrast, its sister species Exochomus quadripustulatus is very common throughout Germany and is not endangered. (CB)
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