ladybird confirmation

[asheleaf]

Just checking this is an Orange Ladybird. It was very dark on top and has a black face. Came of willow. West Sussex

thanks, Ashe

[asheleaf]

could it be a cream spot ?

Ashe

[Jason Claxton]

Originally Posted by asheleaf

could it be a cream spot ?

Ashe

I agree ,it is a Cream-spot Ladybird, Calvia 14-guttata.

Jason

[asheleaf]

Originally Posted by Jason Claxton

I agree ,it is a Cream-spot Ladybird, Calvia 14-guttata.

Jason

cheers Jason :-)

[Jason Claxton]

Though identifying ladybirds by the number of spots has its limitations, as have the descriptions in some latin and common names.

If you are wondering whether it is a Orange or Cream-spot you can have a look at the number of spots you have on the wing case ,there are normally seven on a Cream spot wing case,this x2 gives fourteen(hence Calvia 14-guttata),and Orange usually has eight,hence x2(Halyzia 16-guttata).
This information is really only useful for comparing these to species,taken for instance that there is also a ladybird called the 14-spot (as you probably well know,that looks totally different)

Also the Cream-spot has those dark sunglasses.

Jason

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, there can be confusion - when the Orange has reduced spot number they tend to go to 14! The Cream-spot may also have reduced numbers and get confused with Calvia decimguttata which is not yet found in the British Isles.
Generally it's pretty easy to tell the two apart by size and the fact that the Orange ladybird has bright yellow markings on its forebody - these are definitive. As has been mentioned often before, elytral patterns in some species of ladybird can be variable but pronotal are pretty consistent.

[asheleaf]

thanks Jason & Paul for that very useful information

cheers, Ashe