WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Non native which was only introduced in 2004 Widespread and common in the Southern half of the UK with less records further north although it's spreading rapidly. Habitats include: diverse range especially anywhere with deciduous trees preference for Lime's and sycamore trees, Nettles e.g. woodland, parks, gardens, allotments, orchards, church yards, road side verges, hedgerows, wasteland, scrub, marshland, meadows, grassland, reed beds. Length= 5-8mm. One Female can lay over 1000 eggs. Diet: samll insects such as Aphids, scale insects, Adelgids, eggs and larvae of butterflies/moths, other ladybirds. Pollen, nectar, other sugary fluids e.g. honeydew, juice from ripe fruits. Length= 8mm.

There are three forms of this species which show large amounts of variation within them they include:

succinea- background colour: yellow/orange/red. Pattern colour: 0-21 black spots. Spot fusions. Pronotum: white or cream up to 5 spots.

spectabilis- background colour: Black/Melanic. Pattern colour: four red/orange spots/patches. Melanic (black) forms.

conspicua- background colour: Black/Melanic. Pattern colour: two red/orange spots/patches. Melanic (black) forms.