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5-spot ladybird (Coccinella 5-punctata)

 

Size: 4 - 5mm
Basic colour: red
Pattern colour: black spots
Number of spots: 5-9
Spot fusions: very rare
Melanic (black) form: no

Pronotum: black with anterior-lateral white marks
Leg colour: black
Habitat: unstable river shingle
Host plant: various
Overwintering: gorse, under shingle stones, in leaf litter
Food: aphids

Other notes: Rarely found more than a few metres from its preferred river shingle habitat in Britain, yet common in many habitats in Europe. An endangered species in Britain.