Ladybirds of Southampton and the surrounding areas
2-spot Ladybird
The photograph below shows the normal 2-spot ladybird as you would normally expect to see it....
2-spot Ladybird, black patterned variation
There are many variations in the colouration of the 2-spot ladybird. The next few photographs, which were all taken at Peartree Green, Woolston, show some of them.
2-spot Ladybird dark
This is a very dark variation
2-spot Ladybirds mating
Both of these ladybirds are red with black spots, but note the strange shape of the spots on the male (the one on top!!)
2-spot Ladybird...melanic
This is the variation most often encountered... beware of confusion with other red-on-black ladybirds which are shown further down the list...the 10-spot melanic, the heather, kidney-spot and pine ladybirds.
7-spot Ladybird...typical
This large, red ladybird, with 7 black spots is the one most often seen in your garden.
7-spot Ladybird...orange
This is the same as the preceding photo, but the insect is bright orange instead of red.
Scarce 7-spot Ladybird
This is a separate insect from the typical 7-spot, and is very rare, and most often found near wood ant nests. It is slightly smaller, but more rounded than the 7-spot.
Scarce 7-spot Ladybird
The best method of confirming the identification of the scarce 7-spot, is that it has a white patch under all 4 rear legs (just visible in this photo). The typical 7-spot only has white patches under the front two legs.
10-spot Ladybird
The 10-spot is another ladybird which has many colour variants. This first photo is the typical 10-spot
10-spot Ladybird, orange/black spots
This insect was filmed at Baddesley Common, 24 March 2005.
10-spot Ladybird, 2-tone
Each half of the elytra is a different colour in this ladybird, filmed in Telegraph Woods, West End, Southampton.
10-spot Ladybird, 2 yellow spots
Another variation from Baddesley Common is this form bi-maculata (which is more usually the black melanic with 2 red spots).
10-spot Ladybird, yellow/rust chequered.
Ther are a number of chequered ladybirds, which all come under the form 'decempustulata'
10-spot Ladybird, yellow/black chequered
Filmed on a nettle patch at Peartree Green in Southampton on 6 April 2005.
10-spot Ladybird, red/black chequered
Also filmed at Peartree Green.
10-spot Ladybird, unspotted
This ladybird which has no spots at all was filmed at Peartree Green.
10-spot Ladybird, faint spots
Baddesley Common, 24 March 2005.
10-spot Ladybird, light spotting
Filmed at Forest Front in Southampton 13 April 2005.
10-spot Ladybird, melanic
The melanic form (black with red markings) of the 10-spot is the most common variation to be found. This one was filmed at Baddesley Common on 23 March 2005.
10-spot Ladybird, multi-coloured
This most unusual colour variant was another Peartree Green special (6 April 2005), and is the last of the 10-spot variations.
11-spot Ladybird, red
I have filmed 2 variants of this ladybird, this red one (19 May 2005), and the orange one which follows.
11-spot Ladybird, orange
17 August 2005.
14-spot Ladybird
Peartree Green again, this time 1 May 2005.
16-spot Ladybird
Filmed at Hythe Spartina Marsh, 18 April 2005.
18-spot Ladybird
Peartree Green again, 11 April 2005.
22-spot Ladybird
Yet another Peartree Green specimen, this time 1 May 2005!
24-spot Ladybird
One of the smallest (and fastest) ladybirds. Peartree Green(!!!), 8 April 2005.
24-spot Ladybird, unspotted
Found by Phil Budd in Thornhill, 30 October 2004.
Adonis Ladybird
This species has yet to be discovered in the Southampton area. This one was filmed on wasteland in Portsmouth, 10 May 2005.
Bryony Ladybird
Another ladybird not yet seen in the Southampton Area, it was first found in the London area, and has now spread to Surrey. This photo was taken at Pyrford Green, Surrey on 26 July 2004.
Cream-spot Ladybird
Peartree Green again, 1 May, 2005.
Cream-streaked Ladybird
Filmed at Telegraph Wood, West End, Southampton on 15 May 2005.
Eyed Ladybird
Until the harlequin ladybird appeared on the scene, this was the largest of our ladybirds. Peartree Green, 6 April 2005.
Harlequin Ladybird
This is the recent import from the Continent about which there is such concern. It remains to be seen just how much this insect will affect the rest of the ladybird population, but one thing is sure, it is in this country to stay. Phil Budd found this specimen in Locks Heath on 2 November 2005!!
Heather Ladybird
One would think that this would be a very common insect in our area as we have the New Forest on our doorstep, and many areas of heathland around us. This is the only speciman I have seen in the vicinity (Forest Front, Southampton, 13 April 2005). The only other was from Christchurch Town Common, Dorset, 25 March 2005.
Kidney-spot Ladybird
A fairly common ladybird, found regularly on the trunks of sallows. Hamble Common, 5 April 2005.
Larch Ladybird
Telegraph Woods, West End, Southampton, 9 May 2005.
Orange Ladybird
A fairly common species of wooded areas. Peartree Green(!) 6 April 2005.
Pine Ladybird
Hut Wood, Chandler's Ford, 16 September 2004.
Striped Ladybird
Telegraph Woods, West End, Southampton, 9 May 2005.
Water Ladybird
Forest Front, Southampton, 13 April 2005.
All pictures
© Peter Burford