The Kidney-spot Ladybird gets its common name from the two large red spots on the elytra. It is otherwise a medium-sized black species with a domed abdomen and a rim around the base of the elytra. It has only been found in Ireland in recent years and it is unclear how it arrived here. Natural colonisation from the UK is possible, however its distribution also suggests that it may have been imported. Regardless, it is now well established in some areas and is likely to spread further.
Distribution in Ireland: Centered around Cork city, Dublin city and Belfast, but spreading rapidly from Cork city in particular and has now reached Waterford and Tipperary.
Habitat: Irish records come from parkland and woodland, particularly deciduous woodland, which correlates well with what is known of its ecology elsewhere.
Habits: Feeds on scale insects and apparently has an association with deciduous trees such as Ash, Sallow and coniferous species such as cypresses. It is often found on the trunks and branches of trees, rather then the leaves. It can also be found around wooden fencing, where the specimen in the photographs below was found. The overwintering sites are unknown in Ireland, but likely include sheltered positions among the bark of deciduous trees, which are favoured elsewhere.
