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Hieroglyphic ladybird (Coccinella hieroglyphica)

 

Size: 4 - 5mm
Basic colour: brown or black
Pattern colour: black stripes, spots and patches
Number of spots: 0-7
Spot fusions: common
Melanic (black) form: common

Pronotum: black with anterior-lateral white marks
Leg colour: black
Habitat: heather heathland
Host plant: various heathers
Overwintering: litter under heather
Food: larvae of heather leaf beetle

Other notes: Vary greatly in abundance from year to year due to prey availability.