Halyzia sedecimguttata - Orange Ladybird

Phylum: Arthropoda - Class: Insecta - Order: Coleoptera - Family: Coccinellidae

The Orange Ladybird is one of only three yellowish or orange ladybird species found in Britain and Ireland. Its spots sometimes merge, but usually there are between fourteen and sixteen creamy-white spots on the elytra (wing cases) - considerably fewer than on a 22-spot Ladybird.

Description

At typically 6mm in length, the key identification features of the adults are their yellow legs, light-brown antennae, and 14 to 16 roundish pale cream spots on the orange elytra (wing cases). The wing-case edges are slightly transparent. Larvae of the Orange Ladybird are creamy white and have pale yellow stripes and black spots along their abdomens. The pupae are black with yellow spots.

Habitat

This attractive ladybird is usually found along hedgerows, in deciduous woodland and on woodland edges; but, attracted by lights at night, it also turns up quite frequently in urban gardens.

Distribution

The Orange Ladybird is widely distributed in Britain and Ireland. This species is widespread and abundant across most of England and Wales but becomes less common in the the north of England, and it is is scarce and localised in Scotland. The Orange Ladybird also occurs throughout much of mainland Europe and temperate parts of Asia.

Lifecycle

Like other ladybirds, this species has four stages in its lifecycle: egg, larva, pupa and winged adult. The female lays up to 40 eggs, and once they hatch the larvae go through several instars (moults) until the pupate. Orange Ladybirds (and their larvae) feed mainly on mildew, and in Britain and Ireland the adults can usually be seen from April through to October. Look out for them particularly on the leaves of Sycamore and Ash trees. In the winter months they hibernate beneath loose bark on dead wood or in leaf litter on the woodland floor.

Acknowledgements

This page includes pictures kindly contributed by Betty and Tony Rackham.

References

O'Reilly, Pat. (1997; 8th reprint 2010) Matching the Hatch. Shrewsbury: Quiller Publishing.

Harde K.W. & Severa F. (1984) Field Guide in Colour to Beetles. Littlehampton Book Services.

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