Ivy Ladybird  Nephus quadrimaculatus

Other names:  4-spot Ladybird, Four-spotted Nephus

A common species that can be abundant on ivy.

Identification     Length  1.5-2.0mm

Easy to identify, with very little variation.

A black species with four red comma shaped marks (two on each wingcase).

The forward patches are larger than the rear ones.

Waltham Abbey, Essex

Waltham Abbey, Essex

Waltham Abbey, Essex

Waltham Abbey, Essex

Fishers Green, Lee Valley, Essex

Waltham Abbey, Essex

Photo by Mark Hows

Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

The underside is all dark.

Thundridge, Herts

Often occurs with Red-flanked Ladybird and both look similar to the naked eye.

The small rear spots can be difficult to see without magnification, (use an eye lens or digital camera).

With Red-flanked Ladybird

With Round-keeled Ladybird

Habitat

Strongly associated with ivy, though I have also found it on Firethorn, Pyracantha.

Like many inconspicuous ladybirds its distribution is patchy. I have beaten a lot of ivy without seeing this species, but when found it can be abundant and often shows strong site fidelity.

My best site to see this species was in a garden I no longer have access to. This was on a south facing ivy covered fence at the end of a medium sized suburban garden.

Ivy covered fence.  Waltham Abbey, Essex

Ivy covered wall.  Gunpowder Park, Lee Valley, Essex

Ivy covered tree trunk.    Holyfield Lake, Lee Valley, Essex

Ivy covered tree trunk.   Fishers Green, Lee Valley, Essex

This seems to be a warmth loving species, as it favours a sunny aspect, so searching southfacing walls and fences with a good covering of ivy should prove productive.

Additional photographs

Fishers Green, Lee Valley, Essex

Fishers Green, Lee Valley, Essex

Fishers Green, Lee Valley, Essex

Greater Amwell, Herts

Thundridge, Herts