Species Focus - 10-spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata)

Ladybirds are colourful beetles in the family Coccinellidae, from the Latin for ‘scarlet’, presumably in reference to that perennial favourite, the 7-spot ladybird. There are 26 species in the UK that are easily recognised as ladybirds, due to their bright colouration and distinctive patterning. However, not all species are as easy to identify as may be imagined.The 10-spot ladybird, Adalia decempunctata, is our most variable ladybird; it doesn’t even always have 10 spots! Adults are fairly small, between 3.5 and 4.5mm in length, and can be found throughout the year in woodland and urban settings. There are three common forms: typical, chequered, and melanic (dark ground colour). Within these forms there is a wide variety of colouration, number of spots (between 0 and 15), and patterning. The pronotum (area behind the head) is always white with 5 dark spots but these are variable in size and can fuse together. To add to the potential for confusion, newly emerged adults tend to be pale brown with no visible markings.

Careful observation is therefore required to accurately identify these ladybirds. Key identification features to include in a photograph for biological recording are the pronotum (see above) and the legs. The brown legs of a 2 spotted Adalia decempunctata will distinguish it from the 2-spot ladybird Adalia bipunctata which has black legs. The small size will distinguish it from the similarly variable Harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis, the adults of which are 7 to 8mm in length.

Lots more information can be found on the UK Ladybird Survey page. The BRC Targeting Revisits Map for ladybirds is also a useful resource for those wishing to give focus to their biological recording of this popular group of beetles. Please submit your records, ideally with photos, to the Cofnod ORS or the LERC Wales App.