This is one of the two yellow and black spotted ladybird species which occur in Ireland. Unlike the similar 22-spot however, this species only has 14 spots, which are squarish in shape and usually partly fused together. It also has a more golden-yellow, as opposed to lemon-yellow background colour.
Distribution in Ireland: Widespread throughout Ireland; one of our commonest ladybirds.
Habitat: A wide variety of habitats may be used, but it is particularly frequent on low-growing vegetation in meadows, scrub, woodland clearings and edges, farmland, parks and gardens.
Habits: A predatory species of ladybird which feeds on aphids. It can be frequent on low-growing herbaceous vegetation such as Nettle, brambles, thistles, reeds, grasses, plantains, clovers and others. It can be found quite easily by sweep netting grasslands, meadows and shrubby areas. It is also not too difficult to encounter casually, particularly by searching low growing, sun-lit leaves of various herbaceous plants. Overwintering sites include a variety of settings, including Ivy and grassy tussocks, although in my experience it is much more difficult to locate in winter than summer.
