Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
Coccinella septempunctata
This record describes Coccinella septempunctata (species). Recorded family: Coccinellidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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Terms from the source record, grouped for readability. Broad terms such as size or location are not measurements or a confirmed range.
Wikipedia reference for Coccinella septempunctata: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinella_septempunctata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Coccinelloidea
- Family
- Coccinellidae (Lady Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Coccinellinae
- Genus
- Coccinella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
All habitats.
Seasonal Activity
Active from March until October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Both larvae and adults feed on aphids which helps their image as a gardener's friend. They hibernate during winter and can be found in cracks and crevices, often in outbuildings and around window frames. Large numbers often migrate here from the Continent in warm years.
Additional species information
Recorded status
The most common of Britain's ladybirds.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Coccinella septempunctata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Seven-spotted Lady Beetle (11)
Photo credits: (c) Engers, some rights reserved (CC BY). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/404578993. Original downloaded bytes; proportional display only
Frequently Asked Questions About Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
How big is Seven-spotted Lady Beetle?
6mm to 8mm (0.23" to 0.31")
Where is Seven-spotted Lady Beetle found?
Habitat: All habitats.
When is Seven-spotted Lady Beetle active?
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle: seasonal activity - Active from March until October..
What is the life cycle of a Seven-spotted Lady Beetle?
Both larvae and adults feed on aphids which helps their image as a gardener's friend. They hibernate during winter and can be found in cracks and crevices, often in outbuildings and around window frames. Large numbers often migrate here from the Continent in warm years.