The seven-spot is the UK's most common ladybird. It hibernates in winter, often in groups, seeking a sheltered spot such as a crevice or outbuilding. Come spring, it mates and lay eggs in clusters on the underside of a leaf, most often near to aphids, which is its main food. The larva emerges after a few days and grows quickly, shedding its skin several times. When full sized, the larva attaches its tail to a leaf and forms a pupa. After a week or two, a fully formed ladybird appears. One ladybird can produce offspring several times over summer.
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| Seven-spot ladybird |
During a hot summer, many migrate from continental Europe. The seven spot lives for a year, sometimes two. Bright colours are its defence mechanism, warning predators to avoid. When threatened, the seven-spot secretes a pungent oily yellow liquid from joints in its legs, which makes the seven-spot taste disgusting. It can also play dead. Those defences are not always successful and frogs, wasps, spiders and dragonflies are the seven-spots' greatest enemies.
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| Seven-spot ladybird larva |
There are over 40 species of ladybird in the UK. Half are small and dark, and often missed as being true ladybirds. Worldwide, there are about 5,000 species.
How about a good walk to view seven-spot ladybirds? Try walking to Houghton Mill via The Thicket. For more nature topics and walks, click Cambridgeshire Nature Watch.
