Two-spotted Ladybird Adalia bipunctata
One of the most common Ladybugs is the Seven-spotted Lady Beetle, often referred to as the Sevenspot or the Sevenspotted Ladybird. Not very difficult to identify, for it is a typical ladybeetle, red with black spots and the total number of spots is seven. The seventh spot runs on both shields and just in front are two small white triangular shaped dots. Like all other ladybirds eating aphids they don't real track them down, they simply stuble over them. The adults can be seen from March to November mainly, but in winter some remain active. The size is typical for members of this family: some 6 to 8 mm. The larvae are blue with some pink spots. They are often found near an aphid colony, eating the sap suckers one by one. But, given the opportunity, they will be eating other small insects as well. You may also see ants chasing the larvae away. Nowadays this species is used commercially to fight aphid infections on plants, just like the Two-spotted Lady Beetle and some Green Flies.
