Coleoptera - Polyphaga - Coccinellidae

Tribus Coccinellini

Cambridge, garden, various dates
The typical form, far left, is a very familiar garden insect
There are also several genetic colour morphs (over 100 have been named)
In order are seen weak annulata; strong annulata; a very dark development of a similar pattern; and 2 degrees of f. quadrimaculata (although the last one also has two small tail spots)
Larvae are aphid feeders
NBN Atlas

Cambridge, garden, various dates 2001-3
Very variable coloration, forms shown have (from left) almost no markings; 10 pale markings; 10 spots and two small marks; additional spots on the scutellum and the apices of the elytra making 13 in all; 13 spots starting to join up; and (f. decempustulata) the spots fully joined leaving 10 irregular orange blobs. Form bimaculata has just two pale blobs, corresponding to the front flank spots of decempustulata, and the background colour may be brown rather than black.
Finally, proof that they really are the same species!
NBN Atlas


Cambridge: Various dates 2001-3 Less variable than many ladybird species, but there is substantial variation in the sizes of the spots. Enlargements: [1] [2] [3] Below, newly emerged adults are bright yellow with no markings (left); an hour later the markings are emerging (right). The background colour reddens much more gradually. NBN Atlas

		Cambridge: 16 Jun 2002 A mildew feeder This specimen was found at a lighted window (I've never seen one in the garden in the daytime). Right, a standoff with a spider. (I never found out the result).
		Cambridge: 26 Feb 2008 Found at Paradise Nature Reserve. TL44605722. Enlarge: [1] [2] NBN Atlas

Cambridge, Mill Road Cemetery TL462582, 9 Sep 2015
At first sight looks somewhat like a 7-spot, but smaller, a more slender shape with a distinctively shaped black mark on the thorax
The number of spots can be anywhere between 3 and 15
An aphid feeder, fairly common in a range of habitats
The Adonis name appears to be derived from the genus name Adonia given by Etienne Mulsant, described by him as "nom mythologique".
NBN Atlas

Cambridge: various dates 2001-3
As can be seen, this is also a somewhat variable species with more than one parameter. The central one is some way off being symmetrical.
NBN Atlas

Cambridge: 21 Jun 2002
The spot count (as in all ladybirds) includes elytral spots only and includes a half (or less) spot right on each flank.
Feeds on mildew
Thea 22-punctata in older references.
NBN Atlas

Cambridge, Trumpington Meadows, TL438548. 24 May 2016.
A small mobile species of grasslands, feeding on mildew, fungi and pollen.
Notable for over-wintering in large aggregations, which can easily run into thousands of insects.
NBN Atlas

Cambridge, Adams Road TL437587: 2 Sep 2014
Tree-dwelling species with black legs.
Little variation in patterning, always shows the two large large spots halfway along the elytra.
In profile it has a distinct ridge along the suture and a flange around the rim.
Larvae are reddish-brown, broadly oval with long spines.
[Enlarged view]
NBN Atlas

Cambridge Science Park TL462617: 12 Aug 2002
Adults and larvae are predators on scale insects
(but I have also observed one mooching around on a rotten pear ...)
This photo shows the distinctive rim round the margin of the elytra and has identical markings to that at the UK Ladybird Survey. Note, however, that there are forms of the 2-spot ladybird which look very much like this!
NBN Atlas

Cambridge. Adult, Coldham's Common TL474584. 14 Jun 2016. Larva, Trumpington Meadows, TL433543. 2 Jun 2015.
A vegetarian species feeding on grasses
The adults are small, flightless, downy and inconspicuous in the undergrowth. The larvae are highly distinctive and mobile.
NBN Atlas

Cambridge, Gwydir Street; 4 June 2016
A small ladybird 2mm long, can be found with difficulty in ivy and various trees.
Feeds on aphids and mealybugs.
Mainly southern & eastern. NBN Atlas

Gwydir Street: 29 Mar 2021
First found in Britain in Surrey in 1996.
Associated with trees such as pines, conifers, deciduous trees and also with Ivy.
NBN Atlas

Cambridge, Gwydir Street; 1 Nov 2020
Between 1.7 and 2.8 mm.
Native to Queensland and Southern Australia, introduced elsewhere to control scale insects.
Often associated with Cupressus × leylandii.
NBN Atlas

Gwydir Street: 13 Aug 2018
Found in grassland and woodland rides, particularly on sandy or calcareous soils, at the roots of grasses and low-growing plants.
NBN Atlas

Coccinellidae larvae are mobile and mostly predatory. Left is the 7 spot, middle maybe the 2 spot, right believed to be 22 spot.
Enlargement: 7-spot