Ladybirds are small, round or oval-shaped beetles in the family Coccinellidae. They are often brightly coloured with spots and are well-known for being beneficial insects in gardens because many prey on aphids and other plant pests.
Name: Adonis Ladybird Hippodamia variegata
Description: Between 4 - 5mm in length. The body is more elongated than other ladybirds with the number of spots varying from 3 to 15 with most located towards the rear.
Habitat: Found on wild carrot and other low vegetation on warm summer days.
Name:
Adonis Ladybird
Hippodamia variegata
Name:
Adonis Ladybird
Hippodamia variegata
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Name: Cream-streaked Ladybird Harmonia quadripunctata
Description: About 5 - 6mm in length. Colouration variea with bright red, brown and yellow forms occurring. Some individuals can appear almost completely black. Many 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 it is sometimes called the 'Four-spot ladybird'.
Habitat: A predator of aphids found on trees. It over-winters in communities under bark.
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Name: Cream-spot Ladybird Calvia quattuordecimguttata
Description: Maroon-brown elytra, creamy-white spots and brown legs make this species easy to identify,
Habitat: Lives on hedgerows and deciduous trees where it feeds on aphids and psyllids. Seen from April until October it overwinters in leaf litter, bark crevices and beech nuts.
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Name: Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata
Description: Orange Ladybird 6mm in length with up to 16 whitish spots. The wing cases have transparent edges..
Habitat: Feeds on mildew on trees such as sycamore, ash and beech and hibernates in leaf litter.
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Name: Pine Ladybird Exochomus quadripustulatus
Description: Small black Ladybird, 3-4mm, with four red spots, two of which are comma-shaped. The legs are black.
Habitat: Although the 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.
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Name: Kidney-spot Ladybird Chilocorus renipustulatus
Description: Rounded ladybird, about 5mm. 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.
Habitat: Usually found in well-wooded areas from April to October. It searches tree bark to feed on scale insects.
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