Seven-spot ladybird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seven-spot ladybird |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Coccinella
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C. septempunctata
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| Coccinella septempunctata (Linnaeus, 1758)
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Coccinella septempunctata, the seven-spot ladybird, is the most common ladybird in Europe. Its elytra are of a red colour, but punctuated with three black spots each, with one further spot being spread over the junction of the two, making a total of seven spots, from which the species derives both its common and scientific names (from the Latin septem = "seven" and punctus = "spot").
Biology
C. septempunctata has a broad ecological range, generally living where there are aphids for it to eat and because of this, has been repeatedly introduced to North America as a biological control agent to reduce aphid numbers, and is now established in North America.
Anatomy and physiology
An adult seven-spot ladybird may reach a body length of 7.6–10.0 mm (0.3–0.4 in). Their distinctive spots and attractive colours apparently make them unappealing to predators. The species can secrete a fluid from joints in their legs which gives them a foul taste. A threatened ladybird may both play dead and secrete the unappetizing substance to protect itself. The spot size and coloration can provide some indication of how toxic the individual bug is to potential predators.
Distribution
Europe, North Africa, Cyprus, European Russia, the Caucasus, Siberia, the Russian Far East, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, the Transcaucasia, Kazakhstan, Middle Asia, Western Asia, Afghanistan, Mongolia, China, North and South Korea, Pakistan, Nepal, North India, Japan, Southeast Asia. Also North America (the species was introduced to the USA) and Tropical Africa.
Images for kids
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C. septempunctata mating
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