Seven-spot Ladybird

The Seven-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) is the most common ladybird found in the UK. Easily identifiable with its red wing cases and seven black spots (3 on each wing case and one nearest the thorax that sits across both wing cases). The Seven-spot Ladybird can occasionally be seen with yellow colouration on its wing cases.

The bright colouration on ladybirds is there to warn predators that these beetles won’t make an enjoyable meal. When attacked, ladybirds exude a bitter tasting alkaloid fluid from their leg joints in a defence mechanism known as reflex bleeding. The fluid also contains a distinctive smell of a chemical known as pyrazine which tells the attacker that this dinner is going to taste bad.

Ladybirds are voracious predators of aphids and other small insects. Due to this Seven-spot Ladybirds are often used as biological control agents in greenhouses, farms and gardens.

This ladybird is found across Europe and Asia and is also a migratory species. Large numbers migrate from the continent in warmer years to join the already established UK populations of Seven-spot Ladybirds.

• Size: 6-8mm
• Life span: up to 1 year, including over-wintering.
• Diet: Aphids and other small insects.
• Reproduction: The lifecycle consists of four phases: egg, larva, pupa and adult stage. Female ladybirds lay bright yellow eggs on the underside of leaves in clutches of up to 40, usually in June and July. The larvae pass through four instars (stages of development) before becoming pupae. The new generation typically appears in August, and they won’t mate until the following year. Ladybirds overwinter as adults between October and March. In the spring they will become active again, seeking out food, and then begin mating, starting the cycle over again.
• When to see: March to October. Commonly found in woods, parks and hedgerows. They are also frequent garden visitors.
• Population Trend: Stable
• Threats: The loss of connected wild habitats, pesticide use in agriculture and in gardens.
• Interesting Fact: The Seven-spot Ladybird is the national insect of Finland.

How can you help:

Submit your ladybird sightings to the UK Ladybird Survey. By building up a database of records, we can better understand how ladybirds are responding to threats like the invasive Harlequin. You can submit your ladybird sightings on iRecord.

You can provide a safe space for ladybirds in your garden by leaving wild areas of native plants, building log piles, and avoiding the use of pesticides.

Do remember that we rely on donations to continue our work.  If you have searched, found and learnt about our incredible invertebrates on our website, please do consider Making a Donation, Becoming a Member or maybe even making a purchase in our shop.  For more ideas on how to support our work, find out how to Get Involved.  Thank you 🕷

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