16-spot ladybird (Tytthaspis 16-punctata)

16-spot ladybird (Tytthaspis 16-punctata)

 

Size: 3mm
Basic colour: biege
Pattern colour: black spots
Number of spots: 13-18
Spot fusions: common: 3 lateral spots usually fused
Melanic (black) form: rare

Pronotum: biege with black spots
Leg colour: brown
Habitat: grassland, meadow
Host plant: various grasses and low plants
Overwintering: low herbage, in gorse, in plant litter, on fence posts and stone walls, often in large aggregations
Food: pollen, nectar, fungi

Other notes: Small and often overlooked. Can be very abundant in rough grassland. Best found using a sweep net.