There are over 100 species of ladybirds in Europe, of which 40 species are resident in the British Isles. The most common ladybirds are the two-spot ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) and the larger seven-spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata).

The number of spots on a ladybird determines what kind of ladybird it is. The two-spot ladybird has very similar habits to the seven-spot ladybird. Two-spot ladybirds are 4 – 6 millimetres in length. Seven-spot ladybirds are 5 – 8 millimetres in length. Find out more!

Two-spot ladybirds have a red elytra (wing cases), each with a single black spot. The thorax is black with two large white markings at the side and the head is black. The colouration and patterning of these beetles can be quite variable.

Seven-spot ladybirds have three and a half spots on each of their two elytra (wing cases). The thorax is black with two white marks at the side, and the head is small and black. Larvae have lumpy grey-blue skin with yellow spots at the sides of their abdomens.

Most ladybirds eat aphids (greenfly), mealy bugs, coccids (scale insects) and whitefly, and of course other garden pests that damage plants and crops. Ladybird larvae can eat up to 25 aphids a day and an adult ladybird can eat over 50 aphids a day.

Some species of ladybird are herbivorous and feed only on mildews and microscopic plant fungi which is helpful because it can reduce the onset of certain fungal diseases in plants.

Adult ladybirds hibernate all winter. They snuggle up in dense vegetation, under logs and sometimes become residents of your home, sleeping in door frames, folds in curtains, in sheds and outhouses. If you do find one nesting in your home, spare a thought for the good work they do around your garden and coax it gently into an aired jar and put it in your shed or some other sheltered place to finish its sleep through the winter time.