Illeis galbula
{{Short description|Species of beetle}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Illeis galbula from above, wood background.jpg
| image_caption =
| genus = Illeis
| species = galbula
| authority = (Mulsant, 1850)
| synonyms = *Psyllobora galbula Mulsant, 1850
}}
Illeis galbula, the fungus-eating ladybird, is a species of beetle in the family Coccinellidae.
Description
Behaviour
During the day it is fast moving and readily flies or drops when disturbed. The pupa are active and often stand on end.{{cite web |title= Fungus-eating Ladybird - Illeis galbula |url= http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_ladybirds/FungusEatingLadybird.htm |access-date=2008-12-21}}
Adult and larval fungus-eating ladybirds are often found in gardens where they eat powdery mildew on cucurbit crops like pumpkin and zucchini.{{cite book |author=Crowe, A. |year=2002 |title=Which New Zealand Insect? |publisher=Auckland, N.Z.: Penguin |page=47 |ISBN=0-14-100636-6}} In Australia, overwintering adults feed on pollen of wattles and privet species during spring.
Distribution
This species is native to Eastern Australia. It is a non-native species in the North Island of New Zealand, first found in Auckland in 1985.{{cite web |title=Fungus-eating ladybird - Illeis (Leptothea) galbula |author=N. A. Martin |date=2017 |website=Landcare Research |url= https://interestinginsects.landcareresearch.co.nz/taxa/2e239077-3546-4712-bcd1-e02912a8aa33 |access-date=27 April 2025}}. They are also found in New Guinea.
Gallery
File:Illeis galbula in Sydney 01.jpg|Larval form
File:Illeis galbula (19370378442).jpg|Fungus-eating ladybird, Binalong Bay, Australia
File:Fungus-eating ladybird (Illeis galbula).jpg|Fungus-eating ladybird eating powdery mildew on zucchini leaf
File:Illeis-galbula-hand.jpg|Illeis galbula on a hand
References
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikispecies}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3009542}}