Photos ©2013–
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Ten Spot Ladybird - Adalia 10–punctata
Family - Coccinellidae
Also known as - Ladybugs, God's Horses, Dowdy Cows
Photos ©2013–
Click any photo for a larger image
A very variable Ladybird species, the Ten Spot can actually have from zero to 13 spots! although our specimen photo is of the species standard, elytron (wing casing) with an orange background, a paler skirt and 10 spots, six orange legs, white pronotum with black spots. A common species of the UK, it can usually be seen from March to October on trees and low vegetation in woodland areas, wooded gardens and scrubland. 5mm (0.2in) long it is superficially similar to the 2–Spot Ladybird with which it can be confused, however, the Ten Spot ladybird always has orange or pale legs, whereas the 2–spot always has black legs. There is a 13 spot species, Hippodamia 13–punctata, but it is believed to be extinct in the UK. As with some other Ladybird species the Ten Spot is a carnivorous beetle.
The UK's 26 recognisable Ladybird species –Site design ©1999– Brickfields Country Park - Privacy -