Species: Eyed Ladybird (Anatis ocellata)
Family: Ladybirds (COCCINELLIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: NW
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Ladybirds (COCCINELLIDAE)
Ladybirds are popular aphid-eating beetles but are unpopular with predators because of their bitter taste. Avoid handling them as they secrete a foul-smelling liquid with a very persistent odour. They pass the Winter as dormant adults, and then are active from early Spring until late Autumn. There are 42 British species, whose patterns are variable. Eggs are mainly yellow or orange in colour, and laid in batches, taking 4-10 days to hatch depending on the temperature.
In folklore many rhymes connected with divination for future partners mention ladybirds. If a single girl tosses a ladybird into the air it will fly away in the direction a future lover lives. It is very unlucky to kill a ladybird, but lucky if one lands on you. If you kill any beetle it will pour with rain.
C. Eyed Ladybird (Anatis ocellata)
The black spots of this common species have pale rings around them (but not always), and there are usually 18 spots, although the number can vary.
Images
Eyed Ladybird
The black spots of this common species usually have pale rings around them, and there are usually 18 spots, although the number can vary. (This example does not have the more typical pale rings around its black spots!)
