COLEOPTERA > POLYPHAGA > COCCINELLOIDEA > Coccinellidae

A family of just over fifty species that can be roughly divided in half to form two distinct groups that are sometimes referred to as the 'conspicuous' and 'inconspicuous' species. The primary group includes 27 typically shiny, brightly coloured, spotted beetles that, in most cases, are instantly recognisable as ladybirds. Many of these species will be familiar, others less so dependent on where you live, but most are widespread and relatively common if you look for them in the right habitat. The remaining 'inconspicuous' species are smaller, mostly around 2-3mm, darker, often hairy and generally more secretive and difficult to find.

The larger, 'conspicuous' species that vary in size from around 4-8mm long, were formerly split into three subfamilies Chilorinae [3], Coccinellinae [23] and Epilachinae [2], with the remaining, less well-known group placed in the fourth subfamily Coccidulinae [24]. Those subfamilies have now been replaced by tribes and although it will take a while for publications to be updated, I've confirmed the associated tribe in the extended caption, viewable when hovering over or clicking to enlarge a photo.

When I published the first version of this section a couple of years ago at the back end of 2023, I was only able to include five species, but now the list has grown I've had to separate them, which I've done based on appearance rather than taxonomy. In fact, when you look at the official checklist, it's sometimes difficult to understand the correct sequence as subfamilies or, in this case, tribes and associated genera are not always listed alphabetically. Coccinellidae is a good example as the list doesn't appear to be in any logical order. Anyway, it doesn't really matter, so I've now split the section down into four small manageable collections starting here with the species that don't fit in with the remaining sets, then separate pages for the "yellow, black spotted" and typical "red, black spotted" species, followed by a final page for the various forms of the Harlequin Ladybird. There's also an additional fifth page for any larvae and pupae that I've photographed.

Although the more familiar ladybird species have had common (vernacular) names that have been in general use for many years, the 'inconspicuous', infrequently recorded species have only been known by their scientific name. Fortunately, in respect of this family where the scientific names are so lengthy, that situation has recently changed as all species now have an everyday name. It therefore makes sense to use the common name as the primary identifier, and adding the actual species name to the extended caption together with the tribe as noted above.

At present, this page includes six species.

The Water Ladybird [Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata] occurs in wetland vegetation. It's relatively small at around 3-5mm, with an elongate-oval body. The head is a creamy-yellow colour, much the same as the pronotum, but with a variable darkened area between the eyes. The pronotum typically has three black spots either side, and the elytra usually has 19 in total, but can vary between 15-21. Early in the season, when individuals are fresh, the elytra is reddish, but during the summer months it fades eventually becoming a beige or oche colour.

The Cream-spot Ladybird [Calvia quattuordecimguttata] is a mid-sized, 4-5mm, deciduous tree specialist most often found in woodland, but also recorded from other habitats including grassland, heathland and wetland. It could be mistaken for the Orange Ladybird, but is usually darker with more consistent markings where the spots are rarely fused. The Orange Ladybird [Halyzia sedecimguttata] typically has between 12 and 16 pale spots on the elytra, but are characterised to some degree by the slightly transparent lateral margins that are also present on either side of the neck shield. It is usually found on deciduous trees and shrubs, particularly where Ivy is present, but may occasionally be seen on conifers.

As their common name suggests, the Larch Ladybird [Aphidecta obliterata] is primarily a coniferous woodland species. They're much the same size as the previous two species, but with a slightly more elongate shape and dull appearance. The elytra has a light tan-brown colouration that can be uniform or, in the case of some individuals, speckled with dark blotches, and usually with a diffuse dark line running down the midsection.

The general shape and colouration of the small, almost round, predominantly black Kidney-spot Ladybird [Chilocorus renipustulatus], which has a single transverse-elongate red spot on each elytron, makes it pretty much unmistakable. It could possibly be confused with the 'conspicua' form of the Harlequin Ladybird, described separately, except that species has a bicoloured pronotum, whereas in the Kidney-spot it's entirely black. The Pine Ladybird [Exochomus quadripustulatus], is somewhat similar, but has a slightly more oval shape and a pair of distinctively-shaped orange-red markings on each side of the elytra. Whereas the Kidney-spot is more likely to be found on or close vicinity of deciduous trees, the Pine Ladybird could, regardless of its name, be found in similar habitat as well as mixed or coniferous woodland, and pretty much anywhere with suitable trees. Both species are regularly found on the bark rather than the leaves.

Distribution, particularly in respect of the species that can be found in my area of Dorset (VC9) and South Hampshire (VC11), is discussed on the following page, but it's worth noting that most of the ladybirds featured below fall into what I would call the third-tier rankings. They're certainly not scarce but, generally, they're not seen anywhere near as frequently as some of the more familiar species.

Updated, Feb.25 (v.4)