There are more than 40 species of these familiar beetles in Britain but
only 26 look like a classic ladybird, brightly coloured and patterned.
Many are predatory on aphids and other insects, a few eat fungi or plants.
A healthy garden will support several species of ladybird. Ladybirds are
beetles in the family Coccinellidae, they range in size from 1 to 10mm and
are round or oval. Ladybird larvae all have a similar elongate body shape
with three pairs of obvious legs, most are black or dark grey, some have
yellow or orange markings and many have hairs or spikes. Adults of the
most familiar species have brightly coloured (red or yellow) wing cases
(elytra) with dark or light spots.
Learn more from the Woodland Trust🌳