Twenty-two-spot ladybird
Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata · Ladybirds
A small yellow ladybird with about 22 black spots that eats mildew and other fungi rather than aphids.
!Is the twenty-two-spot ladybird dangerous?
No. Not venomous and does not pose a medical risk. It may release a yellowish, foul-smelling fluid (reflex bleeding) if handled, which can stain skin or fabric but is not toxic. No special first aid is normally required beyond washing if the fluid contacts skin.
Pets
Harmless to dogs and cats. At most they may cause brief mouth irritation if chewed; do not encourage pets to eat insects.
📖Overview
Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata, the twenty-two-spot ladybird, is a small, distinctive ladybird found widely across Europe and parts of the Palearctic. Unlike many ladybirds that feed on aphids, this species is fungivorous: adults and larvae feed on powdery mildew and other fungal growth on leaves. It occurs in grassland margins, hedgerows, gardens and damp meadows where host plants develop mildew. It is harmless to people and pets and is generally considered beneficial because it reduces fungal infections on plants.
🔍How to identify a twenty-two-spot ladybird
Adults are small (about 3.0-4.5 mm long), broadly oval and domed. The elytra (wing covers) are typically bright yellow to yellow-orange with a variable pattern of roughly 20-22 round to slightly merged black spots; sometimes spots are fused or reduced in number, so exact count can vary. The pronotum is yellow with five small black spots; legs are yellowish. Larvae are pale yellow to whitish with rows of black spots, elongate and somewhat alligator-like; they also graze mildew on leaves.
- Small size: 3.0-4.5 mm (much smaller than some common ladybirds)
- Bright yellow elytra with about 20-22 black round spots; spots may fuse or vary in number
- Favors low vegetation and is often found on plants with powdery mildew rather than on aphid colonies
- Pronotum yellow with five small black spots (not fully black)
Lookalikes
Fourteen-spot ladybird Propylea quatuordecimpunctata
The fourteen-spot is larger (3.5-4.5 mm) with squarish black marks that often merge into an anchor or chequer pattern; the twenty-two-spot is brighter lemon yellow with small, separate round spots.
Two-spot ladybird Adalia bipunctata
Much larger black spots (often two) on a red background and is an aphid predator, not a mildew feeder.
↻Life cycle
Egg
Females lay small clusters of yellowish eggs on leaves near mildew growth.
Larva
Larvae are elongate, pale yellow to whitish with black spots, and actively feed on fungal growth on leaves.
Pupa
Pupation occurs attached to plant surfaces; pupae develop into adults in several days to weeks depending on temperature.
Adult
Adults are the yellow, spotted beetles that continue feeding on mildew; they overwinter as adults in sheltered places.
🍃Diet and predators
Young eat
Fungus: mainly powdery mildew on leaves
Adults eat
Fungus: powdery mildew and similar fungal growth
Predators of the young
Small predators such as ants, predatory bugs, and parasitoid wasps
Predators of adults
Birds, larger predatory insects and spiders; they may use reflex bleeding as a deterrent
🌱Effect on plants and gardens
Feeds on powdery mildew fungi on a range of low plants and grasses; can help reduce mildew load but does not control all fungal diseases.
📍Where and when to find it
Look on low plants, grasses and leaves showing powdery mildew; adults, larvae and eggs occur on the same host foliage.
Best time
April to September during daylight; also in early morning when dew highlights their presence.
Observation tips
Search plants with visible white powdery patches. Use a macro lens or close focus to capture small 3-4 mm adults; place a light-colored sheet under foliage and shake gently to spot beetles.
✨Fun facts
- Unlike many ladybirds, the twenty-two-spot feeds on fungi rather than aphids.
- Spot number can vary: individuals sometimes show fewer or merged spots, so '22' is a typical count, not an absolute rule.
- Adults overwinter in leaf litter or sheltered places and can live across seasons.
?Frequently asked questions
Do twenty-two-spot ladybirds bite?
No — they do not bite people. They are not aggressive and will only try to escape or use reflex bleeding if handled.
Are they poisonous or dangerous?
No. They are not poisonous or venomous to humans. Their defensive fluid can smell and stain but is not toxic.
Why is this ladybird on my plants?
They are searching for powdery mildew and other fungal growth on leaves, which is their food source. Seeing them can indicate mildew presence.
How do I get rid of them in the house?
They are harmless. Gently collect and release them outside. Prevent entry by sealing gaps and closing windows/screens. Indoor infestations are uncommon.
Are they good for my garden?
Yes — they help reduce powdery mildew on plants by grazing the fungus, so they are considered beneficial.
📷Photos of the twenty-two-spot ladybird
More beetles
This guide was written with AI assistance and fact-checked, last updated 2026-10-10. Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions. More about the twenty-two-spot ladybird: iNaturalist, Wikipedia.