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7-spot ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)

 

Size: 5 - 8mm
Basic colour: red
Pattern colour: black spots
Number of spots: 0-9
Spot fusions: very rare
Melanic (black) form: very rare

Pronotum: black with anterior-lateral white marks
Leg colour: black
Habitat: varied, but often low herbage
Host plant: very varied
Overwintering: in low herbage, in conifer foliage
Food: aphids

Other notes: Probably the ladybird most frequently noticed in Britain.