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Rear-spot Ladybird Nephus bisignatus
Other names: 2-spot Nephus, Two-spotted Nephus
A former south coast resident, last recorded in 1996.
One recorded in Essex in August 2026.
Identification Length 1.5-2.0mm
A black species with a red spot on the rear of each wing case.
As with other Nephus species lacks a prosternal keel.
Head, pronotum and wing cases black.
Pronotum is matt black.
Usually has two red spots on the rear of the wing cases.
The centre of the spots occur at three quarters of the wing case length.
The spots are usually small and obscure, with smeared margins.
Sometimes unspotted, therefore appearing all black.
Rear tips of wing cases sometimes with reddish margin.
Antennae and legs orangey red.
Habitat
A former south coast resident recorded from Kent and Sussex, last recorded at Rye Harbour, E. Sussex, in May 1996 and considered extinct after that.
Old records from Deal, Kent and Pevensey Bay, E. Sussex.
On 22nd August 2026 Graeme Lyons and Harry Witts found one on Colne Point, North Essex reported on the Pan Species Listing website https://panspecieslisting.com
On the continent described as widespread but rare, often coastal or in open sandy habitats, associated with cypress and feeds on mealybugs.
Similar species
(See also Confusing Species Groups section above)
In spring 2025 a specimen of Nephus bipunctatus was photographed in southern England.
This species is very similar to Rear-spot Ladybird. The identification was considered to be this species but not confirmed.
I have used the vernacular name Twin-spot Ladybird for Nephus bipunctatus.
It is not currently on the British list.
Very similar to Rear-spot Ladybird. Main differences include:
Glossy black pronotum.
The centre of the spots occur at two thirds of wing case length.
Spots usually large, rounded or rectangular, distance between the spots equal or narrower than their diameter.
Spots rarely absent.
The humeral tubercles (squared raised bump on shoulder area) prominent.
Strongly waved hair pattern on wing cases.
Twin-spot Ladybird is used for biological control so more specimens could occur anywhere.
Described as widespread but uncommon on the continent.
Occurs in woodland and forest edges in shrubs and herbs.
Feeds on mealybugs.
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