Is this a Cream-streaked ladybird?

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford, Bucks. 3rd February 2011.

Quite a small ladybird at ~5mm (it was its small size that made me look again). Think it probably is a Cream-streaked (not seen one before) although its colour doesn't match the images I've found on the internet. Confirmation appreciated.

This was quite an active individual which again made it stand out from the very lethargic (or hibernating) 7-spot and Harlequins that I usually see at this time of year.



Bruce

[Paul mabbott]

Not typical but I'd say it was Adalia decempunctata a ten-spotted ladybird. The sort of washed-out red of the elytra is seen on both 10-spots and cream-streaked (how the latter gets its English name!). Apart from the size, the main clue is the forebody pattern: the cream-streaked usually has two rows of black marks in semi-circles while the 10-spot only has one. Another feature is that in UK the cream-streaked tends to have either four (how it gets its Latin name) or sixteen spots whereas this has, almost, ten spots!

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Paul - I do see what you mean.

I've since (your helpful post) done a careful check on size based on sensor size - result is 4.25mm. Also only deciduous trees in neighbourhood (no coniferous at all).

Bruce

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Bruce Williams

......... Also only deciduous trees in neighbourhood (no coniferous at all).
Bruce

I don't find the tree type all that significant: I mainly see it (cream-streaked ladybird) on deciduous trees including apples, lime, ash and alder. I'm sure it's still much more abundant on pines and other conifers but it's nothing like as restricted to conifers as formerly. Incidentally, one place I used to see them regularly was on varioius trees near the old Milton Keynes coach station, near the M1!

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for the extra info Paul. I occasionally take my dog (Maggy) to Willen lake so a mile or so further would be no problem - any "best" time of year?

Here's another (I presume) very different looking ten-spot that I photographed just a few minutes before the one in my original post (same location within ~10 metres). Confirmation would be appreciated:



Bruce

[nutmeg]

Yes, another 10-spot. I love their varied forms

[faz]

never heard of a cream streaked LB

[Jason Green]

Hi Martin,

It was first found in the UK in the 1930s. I've only seen one once.

Take care,

Jason

[faz]

many thanks JG

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Bruce Williams

Thanks for the extra info Paul. I occasionally take my dog (Maggy) to Willen lake so a mile or so further would be no problem - any "best" time of year?

Here's another (I presume) very different looking ten-spot that I photographed just a few minutes before the one in my original post (same location within ~10 metres). Confirmation would be appreciated:



Bruce

I sometimes take my grandaughter there, feeding the swans! Small world.

For the ladybirds it's just 'normal' best times - in a sunny year April - July although I suspect that a lot of these arboreal species have a late summer mini-migration. -

This ten-spot is the decempustulata or chequered variant. It's much more common than the more 'standard' melanic (black with two red spots) and, early in the year is quite an abundant form. Theoretically they should be black with red patches but, commonly, the patches stay buff or yellow and the black stays dark brown, as this ..... demonstrates, I think, that the colouration and the pattern are controlled by different gene sets.