# 10-spot Ladybird (*Adalia decempunctata*) The 10-spot ladybird is a small, round beetle with ten black spots on its bright red body. These friendly insects love to eat tiny pests like aphids, making them helpful in gardens! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens - **Also known as:** 10-spot Ladybug ![10-spot Ladybird](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Adalia_decempunctata-o.jpg&width=800) Photo: Magnefl, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adalia_decempunctata-o.jpg) ## Appearance The 10-spot Ladybird is a small, round beetle, typically orange or red with ten black spots on its wing cases. It can also appear black with red or yellow spots, or even have fewer or fused spots, making it a very variable insect. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Coccinellidae - **Genus:** Adalia ## Interesting facts - Its amazing eyes are made of thousands of tiny lenses! - Ladybird larvae look like tiny, spiky, grey-black alligators! - The spots on its back don't tell you how old it is! - This species has so many color patterns, it's like a fashion show! ## Special abilities - **Stinky Shield:** 10-spot Ladybird can release a foul-smelling yellow liquid from its legs that helps them scare away predators. - **Warning Colors:** 10-spot Ladybird has bright red and black patterns that help them warn predators they taste bad and are toxic. - **Winter Nap:** 10-spot Ladybird can hibernate in groups during cold months that helps them survive winter by slowing down their bodies. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 6-15 mm - **Size:** 3-5 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-365 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This little hunter loves to feast on tiny plant pests, keeping gardens healthy! - **Age differences:** Larvae also eat aphids, growing quickly on this protein-rich diet. - **Primary Foods:** aphids, psyllids, scale insects, pollen - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Black Bean Aphid (*Aphis fabae*) — Major food source for larvae and adults. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — A common bird that preys on ladybirds. - **Depends on:** [Lacy Phacelia](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lacy-phacelia) (*Phacelia tanacetifolia*) — Visits flowers for pollen when insect prey is scarce. - **Eaten by:** [Cross Orbweaver](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cross-orbweaver) (*Araneus diadematus*) — This spider might trap ladybirds in its web. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Ladybirds are safe to touch, but be gentle and don't squeeze them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify 10-spot Ladybird? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is 10-spot Ladybird's wingspan? 6-15 mm ### How big is 10-spot Ladybird? 3-5 mm ### How long does 10-spot Ladybird live? 60-365 days ### What does 10-spot Ladybird eat? This little hunter loves to feast on tiny plant pests, keeping gardens healthy! ### Where is 10-spot Ladybird usually found? Gardens ### How does 10-spot Ladybird hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does 10-spot Ladybird have? 6 ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [10-spot Ladybird: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/10-spot-ladybird)