The large eyed ladybird is unmistakeable: it is our only ladybird with yellow rings around its black spots. Ladybirds are beneficial insects, managing garden pests - encourage them by putting up a bug box.
The eyed ladybird is a large ladybird that is usually found on, or near, conifers, especially pine trees. Both adults and larvae feed on aphids, making them a friend in the garden. The lifecycle of a ladybird consists of four phases: the egg; the larval stage, during which the larva undergoes a series of moults; the pupa, in which the larva develops into an adult; and the adult phase, during which the female lays eggs in batches of up to 40.
How to identify
The eyed ladybird is unmistakeable: it is larger than all the other ladybirds and is the only one that has 'eyed' spots - black spots ringed with yellow. Its wing cases are red.
Distribution
Widespread.
Did you know?
The eyed ladybird is the UK's largest native ladybird.
