Status
Conservation status
Not assessed
Legal status
Not protected
Species Biology
Identification
Adult: 3mm to 4mm in length. Body is shiny black with four red spots that appear to from two red bars. The edge of the elytra is flattened to form a rim. The prontoum is also shiny black and the head is a deep reddish-black. The legs are black.
Larvae: has pale white stripe across the abdomen.
Adult habitat & habits
It is associated with heather dominated peatland vegetation particularly around margins of raised bogs.
Diet
Feeds on scale insects, aphids and sap-sucking insects.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Has a Holarctic distribution, occurring in North America, Europe, north Asia. It is also found in tropical Africa.
Irish distribution
It appears to be more commonly recorded in the southern half of the island, but there is a knowledge gap on its true distribution in Ireland
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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How can you help
Please submit any sightings of this species to Ladybird Survey
References
Relevant links
Heather ladybird species account from the Ladybirds of Ireland website
Heather ladybird species account from the UK Ladybird Survey website