Ladybird (7 spot)
Coccinella 7-punctata
CLASS
Insecta
DIVISION
Endopterygota. The wind develop inside the body of the immature insects
and there is a marked change (metamorphosis) during the life cycle.
The young stages are very different from the adults. The young are
called larvae. The change from larva to adult form takes place during
a non-feeding stage called pupa. This division is also known as the
Holometabola
ORDER
Coleoptera Beetles
Family
Coccinellidea Ladybirds
DESCRIPTION GENERAL
Adults: Small, domed usually hemispherical. Head sunk into pronotum.
legs short and retractable; tarsi 4-segmented but 3rd segment very
small and concealed in bi-lobed 2nd. 7 Black spots on bright red.
Adults may be seen from March to October.
HABITAT
Everywhere in Great Britain, Ireland, Most of Europe.
DEFENSE
Bright colours generally indicate that the insect is armed and dangerous!
In this case the ladybird is advertising it's bitter taste. When handled
the ladybird will exude drops of pungent fluid that stain the hand
and taint it with a long-lasting smell.
FEEDING
As with most in this family, ladybirds will eat huge numbers of aphids
in both the larval and adult stages
LARVA
Carnivorous
eats aphids.