Gallery - Ladybirds

Ladybirds (Coccinellidae)

Ladybirds are small insects, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are commonly yellow, orange, or scarlet with small black spots on their wing covers, with black legs, head and antennae. A very large number of Ladybird species are mostly, or entirely, black, grey, or brown and may be difficult for non-entomologists to recognize as Ladybirds. Conversely, there are many small beetles that are easily mistaken for coccinellids, such as the tortoise beetles.

Ladybirds are found worldwide, with over 5,000 species described, more than 450 native to North America alone with 46 in the UK.

A few species are considered pests in North America and Europe, but they are generally considered useful insects as many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places. Harmonia axyridis (or the Harlequin ladybug) was introduced into North America from Asia in 1988 to control aphids but is now the most common species as it is out-competing many of the native species. It has since spread to much of western Europe, reaching the UK in 2004.

Some useful websites are Ladybird-survey web site. harlequin-survey web site.

Ladybird Eggs

Unsure of which species that these belong to?

Ladybird Larvae

Unknown species

Ladybird Pupa

Unknown species

2-Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata)

The 2-spot Ladybird is a very common species in Britain and has variable markings but normally shows two conspicuous black spots on red wing-cases. Occasionally the pattern is reversed to give red spots on black wing-cases. The legs are black.

7-Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)

5-8mm.famed for its aphid eating habits in both lava and adult stages, this is one of the commonest ladybirds found on a wide variety of plants for much of the year. It goes into hibernation in autumn, often in huge colonies.

10-Spot Ladybird (Adalia 10-punctata)

Very variable ladybird but has yellow legs.

14-Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata)

There are some 43 different ladybird species to be found in the UK. At only 4mm in length, this common ladybird is only about half the size of the more familiar 7 spot ladybird.

Its markings and colouring can be quite variable.

22 Spot Ladybird (Pysllobora 22-punctata)

The bright yellow elytra each have 10 or 11 small black spots. Feeds on mildews and likes grassy places.

Cream-spot Ladybird (Calvia quatuordecimguttata)

The cream-spot ladybird,is a species of ladybird found in Ireland and the United Kingdom. They are generally 4 to 5 millimetres (0.16 to 0.20 in) in size and are maroon-brown, often with fourteen cream spots.

Cream-streaked Ladybird (Harmonia 4-punctata Pontoppidan )

Arrived in Britain in the 1930s, first recorded in Suffolk. Has spread south, west and north and has reached Wales and Scotland. Often rests head-down on pine buds where it is very well camouflaged.

Harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis)

The Harlequin ladybird is a native of eastern Asia, but due to its appetite for aphids and other invertebrates it has been introduced to many other countries as a biological control agent. In the 1980s it was introduced to North America to control insects on crops and it has since become the most widespread ladybird across the continent. It has spread rapidly across north-western Europe and arrived in Britain in 2004, where it has since successfully established itself throughout England