7-Spot Ladybird
As part of the countdown to TAFU’s Local Wildlife Day on the 11th of July – Species no. 19.
Stay tuned – 24 more days and 24 more species until then!
The 7-Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) is a widely recognised beetle, native to Europe but also found in North America and Asia. They are easily identified by its bright red elytra (forewings), each with three black spots, and a single spot spanning the junction of the two elytra, totalling seven spots. Adults range from 6 to 8 mm in length. They thrive in various environments including meadows, fields, gardens, and forests, wherever aphids are plentiful.
They are known for their voracious appetite for aphids, which makes them a gardener’s ally in pest control. They also consume other small insects and larvae. They breed once or twice a year, with larvae and adults overwintering in ground litter, tree bark, and other sheltered locations. In addition to aphids, they can feed on pollen and nectar as well, which further showcases their role in the ecosystem.
The 7-Spot Ladybird is also notable for its defensive mechanisms. When threatened, it can secrete a foul-tasting fluid from its legs and may play dead to avoid predation.
However, there is concern that they are being outcompeted by the invasive harlequin ladybird in some regions. To support these sweet Ladybirds, we can all try to maintain our gardens in as natural a way as possible, allowing the plants they need to thrive, which in turn will help the whole ecosystem to thrive.
