This is a rare species in Ireland which is limited to wetland sites in the midlands, although interestingly it may be more common in Ireland than in Britain, where it appears occasionally on the south coast. It is a rather elongated, flattened ladybird species with an orange-red background colour, 13 black spots and an orange-buff pronotum.
Distribution in Ireland: Historically there is a small number of records across several counties, but recent records indicate that its present strongholds are the midlands and the west of Ireland, including Roscommon, Galway, Clare, Offaly, Westmeath and Fermanagh. There is an isolated record for Co. Cork also. Old records exist for Cos. Armagh and Antrim.
Habitat: A wetland specialist, found in turloughs, bogs, fens, riverbanks and the edges of lakes. May occasionally wander into adjacent habitats.
Habits: A predatory ladybird which preys on aphids. It is a poorly known species in Ireland, but has consistently been found on wetland vegetation in the habitats listed above. Sweeping dense stands of rushes, reeds and sedges on the habitats listed above is probably the easiest method to find this species. Its overwintering sites are again poorly known, but one early spring record mentions two adults nestled in a gorse bush, suggesting that low-growing evergreen vegetation may be important. Its preferred habitats mean that it is probably prone to underrecording, as wetland sites can be difficult to access and survey. The midlands are also much more sparsely populated than other areas of Ireland, so recording activity tends to be lower here.
