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14-spot Ladybird

14-spot Ladybird ©Amy Lewis

14-spot ladybird

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Scientific name: Propylea quattuordecimpunctata
The 14-spot ladybird is one of three yellow ladybirds in the UK. Look for it in grassland, woodland and gardens. Ladybirds are beneficial insects, managing garden pests - encourage them by putting up a bug box.

Top facts

Stats

Length: 4-5mm

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

May to August

About

The 14-spot ladybird is a medium-sized ladybird found in a wide variety of habitats, particularly grassland, woodland edges, towns and gardens. Both adults and larvae feed on aphids, making them a friend in the garden. The 14-spot ladybird has a long hibernation period, emerging as late as May to breed. 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.

What to look for

The 14-spot ladybird is bright yellow with up to 14 rectangular black spots on the wing cases; these spots are variable in shape and may become fused to create a chequered pattern. It can be distinguished from the smaller, but similar, 22-spot ladybird by its more rectangular, merging spots.

Where to find

Widespread.

Did you know?

The 14-spot ladybird is one of just three yellow ladybirds that inhabit the UK. Its bright colouration is a warning to predators that it is distasteful, although some birds may still have a go at eating it.