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13-spot ladybird (Hippodamia 13-punctata)

 

Size: 5 - 7mm
Basic colour: orange-red
Pattern colour: black spots
Number of spots: 7-15
Spot fusions: rare
Melanic (black) form: rare

Pronotum: white with black pattern
Leg colour: black
Habitat: wetlands
Host plant: reeds
Overwintering: unknown
Food: aphids

Other notes: A rare and noteworthy ladybird that dies out in Britain and then recolonises from Europe. Distinctly elongate in shape and somewhat flattened compared to the 7-spot ladybird.