Pointed-keeled Rhyzobius Rhyzobius litura

Some sites use the vernacular name Meadow Ladybird for this species.

My first example of this species was spotted on a Broad-leaved Dock.

Pointed-keeled Rhyzobius Rhyzobius litura, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows (Norfolk, UK), 13th June 2021

That was closely followed by this one, swept from the same site. The identification of this one was slightly problematic for me as the literature suggests that the shape of the prosternal keel is the best way to tell it from the scarcer Round-keeled Rhyzobius Rhyzobius chrysomeloides. The overall pale elytra with the U-shape mark the only dark markings, and the habitat (swept from a field away from conifers), made this one much more likely to be litura not chrysomeloides but I was puzzled as the prosternal process seemed to have a more rounded point like chrysomeloides. It was 2.7mm long. I thought it was worth checking with the county recorder for a second opinion and as expected Martin confirmed that it was litura citing the shape of the pronotum as another helpful difference between the two species.

Pointed-keeled Rhyzobius Rhyzobius litura showing prosternal process, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows (Norfolk, UK), 31st June 2021

This one came to light in my garden.

Pointed-keeled Rhyzobius Rhyzobius litura showing prosternal process, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 20th August 2025

My next two were found by suction. Neither had a horseshoe mark on the elytra but both had a dark spot on the join of the elytra towards the apex. On this one this spot was shaped rather like an écaille (fish scale) tile (in fact, looking at my photos, it seems there is a trace of the horseshoe emerging from the sides of this mark which wasn't apparent looking at the specimen).

Pointed-keeled Rhyzobius Rhyzobius litura showing prosternal process, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 25th August 2025

second Pointed-keeled Rhyzobius Rhyzobius litura showing prosternal process, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 25th August 2025

This one was also found by suction.

Pointed-keeled Rhyzobius Rhyzobius litura showing prosternal process, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 26th September 2025

On the same day these three were also found by suction in a different meadow. In each case the photo of the prosternal process follows the photos of the same insect.

3x Pointed-keeled Rhyzobius Rhyzobius litura showing prosternal processes, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 26th September 2025