2-spot ladybird

Our most common ladybird, the black-on-red markings of the 2-spot Ladybird are familiar to many of us. Ladybirds are beneficial insects, managing garden pests - encourage them by putting up a bug box.

Species information

Statistics

Length: 4-6mm

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

March to October

About

The 2-spot ladybird is a medium-sized ladybird found in a wide variety of habitats, including parks, towns and gardens. Both adults and larvae feed on aphids, making them a friend in the garden. The adults hibernate over winter in bark, or sometimes in houses, congregating in large numbers. The lifecycle of a ladybird consists of four phases: the egg; the larval stage, during which the larva undergoes a series of moults; the pupa, in which the larva develops into an adult; and the adult phase, during which the female lays eggs in batches of up to 40.

How to identify

The 2-spot ladybird is usually red with two black spots on the wing cases, but it also comes in a variety of other colour forms, right through to black with two red spots. The only likely species that may cause confusion is the 10-spot ladybird, which is a similar size and variable in pattern. However, 2-spot ladybirds have black legs, while 10-spot ladybirds have orange legs.

Distribution

Widespread.

Habitats

Did you know?

The 2-spot ladybird is probably the most common ladybird in the UK and the one you are most likely to find indoors over winter.

How people can help

Our gardens are a vital resource for wildlife, providing corridors of green space between open countryside, allowing species to move about. In fact, the UK's gardens provide more space for nature than all the National Nature Reserves put together. So why not try planting native plants and trees to entice birds, mammals and invertebrates into your backyard? To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.