Chromosome numbers, C-banding patterns and sperm of some ladybird species from Central Europe (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae).

C-banded karyotypes were studied in the males of seven ladybird species from the subfamily Coccinellinae, viz. Adonia variegata (Goeze), Tythaspis sedecimpunctata (L.), Coccinella septempunctata (L.), Calvia decemguttata (L.), Calvia quatuordecimguttata (L.), Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.), Phyllobora vigintiduopunctata (L.). All the species, with the exception of Tythaspis sedecimpunctata (L.), possess 2n = 20, n(male) = 9 + Xy(p). Tythaspis sedecimpunctata (L.), however, has 2n = 24, n(male) = 11+Xy. The examined karyotypes show only a paracentromeric position of constitutive heterochromatin in all autosomes and the sex chromosome X, while the y heterochromosome is dot-like and wholly euchromatic. Successive stages of spermiogenesis were analysed.