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. __TOC__ Description Nephus voeltzkowi can reach a length of 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.
References