This has a very constant pattern with only very rare variation of spot number (from 0-9) or colour patterns. However, the size of the spots can vary considerably in size (left): as happens with many species. Another common aberration is patchy blackening of the elytra (right) which is probably due to interrupted or otherwise abnormal development of the elytra during emergence from pupae. (More deformities).
This is related to the 7-spot, with which it is often found, but is smaller. Its patterning is fairly constant although it can "lose" some spots (down to seven). Rarely it is ocellate (left): with yellow rings around the spots (as in most Eyed ladybirds). The picture to the right shows a defensive mechanism of most ladybirds: reflex bleeding. When handled (attacked) they will exude 'blood' to deter attackers.
This may vary from having fourteen fairly distinct (but somewhat rectangular) spots through a "joined up" pattern (left) to one in which most of the surface is black with a few yellow spots. It always black along the elytral suture (mid-line) in contrast to the 22-spot ladybird. Picture to right © United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
These tend to be quite uniform in the British Isles but more variable in North America. An American specimen with very dark background colouration is illustrated to the left. (NB: the photograph to the right looks very dark but this is problem with photographing Calvia!)
Left Photograph © Dr. John Haarstad
The Orange is larger than the Cream-spot and they have distinctive colours. However Cream-spots which have recently emerged from their pupae (right) look very much like young Orange ladybirds! If in doubt, count the spots. CalviaHalyziaCalvia shows the three species.
Adalia decempunctata and A. bipunctata are very closely related and are both very variable: sometimes with similar patterns (as do the Adonis' and 11-spot ladybirds). The easiest method of separating these is by leg and underside colouration: 10-spots are pale, brown wholly in most cases [as left] but only partly in some variants [as the melanic, right]. This is not absolutely true since a rare form of the 2-spot has some brown parts but is a useful rule for identifying the two species "in the hand"
The form with the small 'hieroglyphic' marking is not seen all that often. The mark is often extended to fuse with spots further down the elytra (left and also). Specimens commonly melanic with very much reduced red markings (right © Lakeland Wildlife).
The ladybird to the right has the correct number of
discrete spots. That to the left shows considerable
fusion of spots: note that the black on the pronotum
covers a larger area as the size of elytral spots
increases.
This normally has seven black spots (as at left) but may have between 3 and 15); the spots may join up but there is no melanic form. The scutellar spot is usually much more elongated than on this specimen; its legs are partly brown; the pronotal pattern is quite distinctive but not very well illustrated here.
This is usually obvious from its size (7-8mms) but may have between 0 and 22 spots (most commonly 18). Sometimes (left) there may be no orange rings around the spots. More rarely, there may be no black giving an orange spotted ladybird. The pronotal pattern is fairly consistent.
The most common form in the London area is that with sixteen spots. The spotless form is not uncommon but the 'original' four-spotted form is seldom seen. (When it was first found in this country it was called the '4-spot Ladybird').
These specimens from Hampstead Heath courtesy of Denzil and Jenny Devos.
This is normally unmarked or faintly striped (as on right) but it may be strongly patterned and have 2-6 spots (left). It is differentiated from other species by the black M-shaped mark on its pronotum (forebody).
The downy surface of the animal is apparent.
The distinctive ladybird can be seen, on close examination, to be covered in fine hairs as are many of the smaller Coccinellidae. It is established in southern Europe where it eats scale insects and other homopterans. The larva (R) is very different from the usual -
© Peter Chew from his excellent site of Brisbane ladybirds and other insects.
This has the slightly elongated
body of all Hippodamia species.
Photograph © Dr
John Haarstad
C. lunata is shown. There are several other African and Asian species, some of which are used for biological control. There are illustrations of Cheilomenes propinqua (which is pink-orange with three black stripes) and other African ladybirds on the Capetown Museum site.
Possibly the most common, but unrecognised, ladybird in the country!
This individual has a much smaller 'horseshoe' marking (although still quite distinctive). The hairiness of the hind body is apparent.
Photograph © Ian Menzies
More examples of the great variability of pattern in this species: from an aggregation in Ohio, USA. Photograph © Stephen Rigden
Now
established in UK.
Possibly the most distinctive underside amongst coccinellids? The pupa (right) is similar to that of pine and kidney-spot ladybirds but reddish brown.
Oenopia conglobata can have variable patterns and colouration - (right) Photograph © Frank Köhler.
