Learn about a newly discovered ladybird from the Shirkuh mountain range in Iran, only confirmed as a new species in 2020. 

Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of a ladybird's genitalia. 

Listen to the UK Wildlife Podcast's latest episode here: http://www.uk-wildlife.co.uk/ep50-9-wildlife-podcasters-in-1-podcast/ 

Out for a walk podcast: https://www.outforawalk.uk/ or @outforawalkpod

Massive thank you to Mehdi Zare Khormizi for all the help he gave me on this episode. You can follow him on @ladybugs.ir. 

Picture by Alexander Slutsky:  http://www.alsphotopage.com/gallery/index/id/15304

You can view more of his pictures here: http://www.alsphotopage.com/gallery/index/id/6312/list/latestcom 

Sources: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirkuh

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazd_Province

https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/46390/ - Oenopia shirkuhensis sp. nov. (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) from Iran mimicking Adalia bipunctata. 

https://researchoutreach.org/articles/scientists-join-dots-between-lady-beetles-iran/ 

https://bioone.org/journals/the-coleopterists-bulletin/volume-74/issue-1/0010-065X-74.1.161/Potential-M%c3%bcllerian-Mimicry-between-Adalia-bipunctata-Linnaeus-and-Oenopia-conglobata/10.1649/0010-065X-74.1.161.short#:~:text=Zakharov%20and%20Shaikevich%20provided%20molecular%20genetic%20evidence%20that,form%20fasciatopunctata%20occurs%20in%20Kazakhstan%2C%20Siberia%2C%20and%20Mongolia. - Unusual two-spots in the orchards. 

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mehdi-Zare-Khormizi - Mehdi's research page. 

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Music by Debra Torrance