About Adonis L.
Adonis L. is the scientific name for the organism described here. Hippodamia variegata adults reach a length of 3–5.5 millimetres (0.12–0.22 inches). These beetles have a slightly convex, rather elongated body shape. In males, the first segment of the anterior legs is greatly expanded. The head is black, with dark eyes and white spots. The pronotum is black, with a white-yellowish border and a central black mask-shaped marking. The elytra are red or orange, with a highly variable number of black points, ranging from zero to thirteen. A single black spot surrounded by white is located on the scutellum. The legs are blackish brown, with brown-colored ends. The underside of the body is black. This species is native to the Palearctic realm, but has spread to the Nearctic and Oriental regions. It has been recorded outside its native range in countries including Australia, South Africa, Kenya, India, China, Canada, the United States, and Chile, and it often reached these areas through intentional introduction for crop pest control. This species primarily inhabits fields, meadows, gardens and shrubs, occurring more often in these habitats than in bushes and trees. It prefers dry, rough vegetation.
