Scarce 7-spot ladybird (Coccinella magnifica)

Scarce 7-spot ladybird (Coccinella magnifica)

 

Size: 6 - 8mm
Basic colour: red
Pattern colour: black spots
Number of spots: 5-11
Spot fusions: rare
Melanic (black) form: no

Pronotum: black with anterior-lateral white marks
Leg colour: black
Habitat: varied but close to ant nests
Host plant: various
Overwintering: various, but close to ant nests
Food: aphids

Other notes: Rarely recorded far from nests of Formica ants. Can be distinguished from the 7-spot by more domed shape and presence of small white triangular marks on the underside below both the middle and hind legs (the 7-spot has such marks only below the middle legs).