Seven-spotted Lady Beetle

Coccinella septempunctata

The Seven-spotted Lady Beetle is famous for its seven black spots on a bright red body. These little beetles are great at keeping pests away!

Habitat: Gardens, crops, and meadows

Appearance

The Seven-spotted Lady Beetle is a small, domed insect with shiny, bright red or orange wing covers (elytra), each typically featuring three distinct black spots. Its black head displays prominent white markings on either side, and a seventh spot is usually present at the base of its wing covers.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyCoccinellidaeGenusCoccinella

Seven-spotted Lady Beetle

Interesting facts

An adult can eat up to 5,000 tiny aphids in its lifetime!

If threatened, they will often play dead, falling motionless to the ground!

Ladybugs aren't bugs at all; they are actually a type of beetle!

Their spots can actually fade a little as they get older!

Special abilities

Seven-spotted Lady Beetle has hidden wings under its hard shell that help them fly quickly to new food sources or mates.

Seven-spotted Lady Beetle has bright red and black markings that tell predators 'don't eat me, I taste bad!'.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 10-14 mm
Size: 5-8 mm
Lifespan: 300-365 days
Flight Speed: 15 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

These helpful beetles love to munch on tiny plant-eating insects like aphids, protecting plants!

Primary Foods

aphids
scale insects
mites
mealybugs

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Black Bean Aphid

Aphis fabae

A favorite meal for both adult and larval beetles.

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

Some birds, like tits, learn to avoid their bitter taste.

eaten by

Cross Orbweaver

Araneus diadematus

Sometimes caught by spiders despite their warning colors.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Keystone Species

Discover the hidden heroes of nature! These special species play an incredibly important role in their habitat, holding the entire ecosystem together like a crucial piece of a puzzle.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.