INSECTS

COLEOPTERA / LADYBIRDS

Beetles are usually distinguished by having forewings modified into hard wing cases known as elytra, which cover and protect the hindwings and abdomen.

Cream-streaked ladybird aka Four-spot ladybird Harmonia quadripunctata is 5–6mm long. There is variation in colouration with bright red, brown and yellow forms occurring. Some individuals can appear almost completely black. Many specimens have pale streaks on the wing cases. There may be up to 18 black spots although sometimes spots are missing. Because two spots usually show on the edge of each wing case these are four spots referred to in the common name. This ladybird is a predator of aphids. It over-winters in communities under tree bark.

Seven-spot Ladybird Coccinella septempunctata is the most common ladybird species in Europe. Each wing case has three black spots and another spot is located across both elytra behind the pronotum making a total of seven. They are voracious predators of aphids. Adults overwinter under rocks, in leaf litter and beneath tree bark.

Ten-spot Ladybird Adalia decempunctata is a small beetle that doesn't always have ten spots. Fresh specimens have light-brown background colouration to begin with. The brown legs can be useful when identifying this Ladybird. They feed on aphids.

Fourteen-spot Ladybird Adalia decempunctata measures 4-5mm long. It is found in a range of habitats, especially on hedgerows along woodland rides. The adults and larvae feed on aphids. There are three yellow species in Britain, this one often has the spots fused together forming an anchor shape across the elytra (wing cases).

Sixteen-spot Ladybird Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata is a small, brownish-yellowish ladybird with 13-18 black spots. Some spots are often fused together and there is a black centre line on the wing cases. This is a grassland species usually seen during summer. It feeds on pollen, fungi and nectar. During winter it hibernates in low vegetation, gorse, leaf litter, on fence posts and walls, often in large groups.

Twenty-two Spot Ladybird Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata is a tiny, very bright yellow beetle measuring up to about 4mm long. It feeds on mildew and is found from April to September.

Twenty-four Spot Ladybird Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata does not have smooth-looking wing cases and has a dusty appearance. This species feeds on fungal moulds and is mostly found on grasses, thistle, nettle, mugwort, knapweed and other low vegetation.

Adonis Ladybird Hippodamia variegata are 4-5mm long. The body is more elongated than other ladybirds with the number of spots varying from 3 to 15 with most located towards the rear. They are found on wild carrot and other low vegetation on warm summer days.

Kidney-spot Ladybird Chilocorus renipustulatus is a rounded ladybird measuring about 5mm. It searches tree bark where it feeds on scale insects. The black body has a rim around the base similar to a bowler hat. There is a large red spot on each wing case and the legs are black. This species is usually found in well-wooded areas from April to October.

Pine Ladybird Exochomus quadripustulatus is a small (3-4mm) black Ladybird with four red spots, two of which are comma-shaped, and black legs. Although its common name suggests it is associated with Pine trees, this species is also found on a wide range of deciduous trees including Lime, Oak and Beech.

Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata has up to 16 whitish spots. The wing cases have transparent edges. This species feeds on mildew on trees like sycamore, ash and beech. It hibernates in leaf litter.

Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis is a common species frequently found on oak and a range of other trees and shrubs. It is an invasive species from Eastern Asia that established itself in Britain during 2004 and has now become widespread across south-east England. It has very variable markings and measures 8-10mm long. They sometimes enter buildings through cracks in window frames or gaps around doors when seeking shelter. As the weather cools the ladybirds get prepared for hibernation, a period of suspended development in insects known as diapause. Some species do this alone while others form large clusters in sheltered places. When the diapause ends with the warm spring weather they wake up to mate and egg lay.