- Source: Nephus voeltzkowi
Nephus (Nephus) voeltzkowi is a species of ladybug belonging to the family Coccinellidae naturally occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa, Mascarene archipelagos, and the Azores islands, but also found in the United States (Florida). This species exhibits the first case of parthenogenesis in ladybugs.
Description
Nephus voeltzkowi can reach a length of 1.65 millimetres (0.065 in) and feeds on mealybugs. Elytra are black, each with one yellowish big oval spot. The body is oval-shaped with short fine whitish pubescence.
Parthenogenesis
Most known populations of Nephus voeltzkowi are bisexual, but several female-only populations were found capable of parthenogenesis.
