Yellow ladybird, white spots for ID please...

[FungiJus]

Hi all.

It's not often that I venture into the insects forum but I was intrigued by these little fellas, found this morning in the woods in Milton Keynes.

They were hiding (hibernating?) under a wasp gall, which in iteself was interesting as it was on a small sapling and there appeared to be at least three different types of gall - it's a wonder that the tree can survive such a drain on its resources.

Anyway - my first thought was of a harlequin ladybird, but having searched the Gallery and A-Z, couldn't find any that matched so could do with a hand with the ID if poss please.



Cheers.
J.

[NickCantle]

It's an Orange Ladybird Jus, 16-spot. Halyzia 16-guttata They're beautiful

[Jason Green]

Very, and agreed

[squishy]

lovely little thing

[aeshna5]

They seem to have increased over recent years + always a welcome sight.

[FungiJus]

Excellent - thanks all, and yes they were beautiful little things. If I'd known you were going to be the first to respond though Nick I'd have taken a better picture.

Interesting though, does the specific epithet actually contain the number - I guess this differentiates variant spot quantities among the same species? Not come across that before (not in the fungal world anyway...).

J.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by FungiJus

Interesting though, does the specific epithet actually contain the number - I guess this differentiates variant spot quantities among the same species? Not come across that before (not in the fungal world anyway...).

J.

sedecimgutta = sixteen-patched. The orange ladybird almost always has sixteen spots although twelve and fourteen are also known. There are similar pale brownish species which can, in their early stages, resemble the Orange (Calvia & Vibidia species) with ten to fourteen spots. However Halyzia sedecimguttata is the only one with the bright yellow patches on the pronotum (forebody).
Yes, as mentioned, they are much more common than formerly and they are also relatively hardy, being seen late into the year and early in the next! They eat fungi predominantly so you're most likely to see them on mouldy trees.

[diggleken]

[quote=Paul mabbott;439556Yes, as mentioned, they are much more common than formerly and they are also relatively hardy, being seen late into the year and early in the next! They eat fungi predominantly so you're most likely to see them on mouldy trees.[/QUOTE]

Interesting Paul, saw some in deep winter, resting on a mouldyish green sycamore trunk and was surprised - thanks for the info, which ties in with the spot.
Ken

[freetail]

Just saw one tonight (for the first time) but not on any mouldy trees. Actually, in our house, looking quite content exploring the walls in our hall wallway. I count 18 spots though, 16 on its back with two on its 'shoulders' on the front part of the body. How unusual is this?

[schnoebi]

Is it rare? I have never seen one before until I found one in my home tonight.
Very cute. 12 white spots.