# Ladybug (*Coccinella septempunctata*) > The seven-spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) is a small, red-and-black beetle found in gardens, grasslands, woodlands, and farmland across Europe and beyond. Just 5–8 mm long, it is a voracious predator of aphids and a favourite of gardeners. Ladybirds fly at up to about 24 km/h, live for roughly a year, and use bright warning colours to deter would-be predators. - **Category:** Insect - **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern - **Range:** Gardens, fields, and woodlands across most of the world, with many species native to Europe, Asia, and North America. - **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ladybug/ - **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16 ## Scientific classification - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Coccinellidae ## Facts at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Scientific name | Coccinella septempunctata | | Diet | Carnivore (mostly aphids) | | Habitat | Gardens, grasslands, woodlands, farmland | | Lifespan | About 1 year | | Size | 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long | | Top speed | ~24 km/h (15 mph) in flight | | Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) | ## A gardener's ally The ladybird is one of the most useful insects in any garden because of its appetite for aphids. Both adults and larvae are carnivores that hunt aphids, and a single ladybird can eat thousands of them over its lifetime. By keeping sap-sucking pests in check, ladybirds protect roses, vegetables, and crops without any need for chemicals. Gardeners and farmers actively welcome them as a natural form of pest control. ## Warning colours and defence A ladybird's bright red shell with seven black spots is a classic warning signal to predators that it tastes unpleasant. When threatened, the beetle can release a bitter, yellowish fluid from its leg joints, a defence known as reflex bleeding. This foul-tasting liquid, combined with the bold colours, teaches birds and other predators to leave ladybirds alone. Some species can also play dead to avoid being eaten. ## Life cycle and larvae Ladybirds go through complete metamorphosis, passing from egg to larva to pupa and finally to the familiar spotted adult. The larva looks nothing like the adult, resembling a tiny spiky alligator, and is an even hungrier aphid hunter. After feeding and growing, the larva pupates and emerges as a beetle with a soft, pale shell that hardens and darkens over the following hours. The whole cycle takes only a few weeks in warm weather, and adults live for around a year. ## Flight and the spotted shell The red shell most people notice is actually a pair of hardened wing cases, called elytra, that protect the delicate flying wings folded beneath. When a ladybird takes off, it lifts these covers and unfurls its membranous wings to fly at speeds of up to about 24 km/h. The elytra snap shut again when the beetle lands, shielding its body and giving the insect its rounded, armoured look. This clever arrangement lets ladybirds both fly and stay protected on the ground. ## Winter survival and hibernation As autumn arrives, seven-spot ladybirds seek sheltered spots to see out the cold months, often gathering together in large numbers. They tuck into leaf litter, hollow stems, cracks in bark, and sometimes the corners of window frames and sheds. Clustering conserves warmth and moisture through winter, and the beetles become active again in spring. Widespread and abundant, the seven-spot ladybird is listed as Least Concern and remains a common sight across the countryside. ## Frequently asked questions ### What do ladybirds eat? Ladybirds are carnivores that feed mainly on aphids, and both the adults and larvae are enthusiastic hunters. A single ladybird can eat thousands of aphids in its lifetime, which makes the beetle a valuable natural pest controller in gardens and on farms. ### Why are ladybirds red with spots? The bright red shell and black spots are a warning to predators that the ladybird tastes bad. Combined with a bitter fluid the beetle can release when threatened, these colours teach birds and other hunters to avoid eating it. ### How long do ladybirds live? Most ladybirds live for about a year. They spend the winter in hibernation and become active again in spring, feeding, breeding, and dying within a single yearly cycle. ### Do ladybirds bite? Ladybirds can give a small, harmless nip if handled, but they are not dangerous to people. They have no venom, and any pinch is far too weak to break the skin in a meaningful way. ### Where do ladybirds go in winter? In autumn ladybirds look for sheltered places to hibernate, such as leaf litter, hollow stems, bark crevices, and sometimes window frames and sheds. They often gather in large clusters, which helps them conserve warmth and moisture until spring. ### How many spots does a seven-spot ladybird have? As the name suggests, the seven-spot ladybird has seven black spots on its red wing cases. The number and pattern of spots vary between different ladybird species and are a useful way to tell them apart. ## Sources - [IUCN Red List — Coccinella septempunctata.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Coccinella%20septempunctata&searchType=species) - [Animal Diversity Web — Coccinella septempunctata. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Coccinella_septempunctata/) - [Wikipedia — Ladybug.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinella_septempunctata) --- Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ladybug/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.