Description

Over all length 5 - 8mm. An extremely variable species that can be black, with red or orange spots, orange with black spots or red with black spots. There can be any number of spots from none to twenty-one.

Habitat

Can be found on low vegetation, especially nettles where the adults and larvae feed on aphids, scale insects and the larvae of other beetles. The pupae can be easy to spot on nettle leaves.

Status and distribution

This is an Asian species first introduced to control aphids in 2004. It is now widespread and common through most of England and Wales though not so well established in Scotland.

Best time to see

March to October.