Species: Ten-spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata)
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. Ten-spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata)
Ten-spot Ladybirds are small ladybirds with a body length between 3.5 and 5 millimetres, They can appear with varied colouration within the species. Legs and antennae are usually orange or brown.
They are active from March to October, and are very common throughout Britain.
Adults and larvae feed on aphids, and can be found overwintering in leaf litter.
Images
Ten-spot Ladybird
Ten-spot Ladybirds are active from March to October, and are very common throughout Britain. Adults and larvae feed on aphids, and can be found overwintering in leaf litter.
(Photo credit: Stuart MA Ball.)
Ten-spot Ladybird
Ten-spot Ladybirds are active from March to October, and are very common throughout Britain. Adults and larvae feed on aphids, and can be found overwintering in leaf litter.
