undecimpunctata

Undecimpunctata is a Latin adjectival epithet used in the scientific names of various organisms to indicate a pattern of eleven spots or markings. The epithet derives from undecem (eleven) and puncta (dots or spots); as a descriptive term, it must agree with the gender of the genus name in taxonomic Latin.

In zoological nomenclature, undecimpunctata appears in several species across different groups, most notably in the beetle family Coccinellidae. The best-known example is Coccinella undecimpunctata, commonly called the eleven-spotted lady beetle. This species has a variable arrangement of dark spots on a red or orange body and occurs across parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. As with many descriptive epithets, the exact number of spots can vary among individuals and populations.

In other taxa, undecimpunctata or its gendered variants have been used to describe markings that suggest eleven spots or comparable patterns. The epithet is descriptive rather than indicating any close evolutionary relationship and may be shared by unrelated lineages due to convergent morphology or simple descriptive naming.

The use of undecimpunctata highlights how Latin descriptors are employed in taxonomy to convey a visible trait. When encountered, the epithet should be interpreted in the context of the full binomial and the organism’s genus.