10-spot ladybird (Adalia 10-punctata)

10-spot ladybird (Adalia 10-punctata)

 

Size: 3.5 - 4.5mm
Basic colour: cream, yellow, orange, red, brown, purple or black
Pattern colour: cream, yellow, orange, red, purple, maroon, brown or black
Number of spots: 0-15
Spot fusions: common
Melanic (black) form: various and common

Pronotum: white with 5 dark spots, which may be fused, or dark trapezium mark
Leg colour: brown
Habitat: deciduous trees and hedgerows
Host plant: various trees
Overwintering: leaf litter, beech nuts
Food: aphids

Other notes: Extremely variable in colour and pattern.