Propylea Quatuordecimpunctata (Linnaeus, 1758)
commonly known as “14 spot Ladybird”
Family: Coccinellidae.
Adults can be seen in UK between May till late September into early October.
Being one of the smaller ladybirds, length 3.5 to 4.5mm. Has many variations of patterns and colouration forms. Some of the extreme variations were thought to be different species.
The fourteen-spot lady bird is a common species, found throughout Europe and further south into North Africa. Also, into the far Eastern countries of Russia and Asian countries. It was introduced throughout North America and Canada to help to control the Russian Wheat Aphid (Diuraphis noxia).
Habitat: This Ladybird, lives in various types of habitats. Can be found actively hunting in bushes, trees, shrubs, various grasses and herbaceous plants, growing in gardens, parks, meadows. Endlessly looking for many types of aphids, will also feed on Aleyrodidae (Whitefly) and Coccoidea (small Scale insects). Will also feed on larvae and eggs of butterflies and other beetles, including ladybird larvae.
Female beetles will lay between 4-15 pale green oval eggs in clusters, these are usually laid on leaves or the stems of plants. The eggs hatch into larvae that complete four instars over a period of 8-10 days. The larvae will then pupate on plant leaves and stems. Adults emerge from the pupa within 4-5 days. Overwintering as adults, usually in leaf litter. The adult beetles will more often than not live through two complete winters.