Forestier's Ladybird Rhyzobius forestieri

Though first seen in Britain in 2014, this species was not included in the main section of The Fieldguide, Roy and Brown (2018).

After two unsuccessful trips to Abney Park, N. London, to search for this species, I found my first record in a garden wheelie bin in Nazeing, Essex on 16th August 2017. I then found another in a garden wheelie bin in Upshire, Essex, six days later.

I then started to see this species more regularly. I recorded it on 15 occasions in 2018, 29 times in 2019, and by 2021 it had become a common background species, both in gardens and the wider countryside, with 33 records and up to five individuals at a time.

Identification Length 3.2mm

A large species, not much smaller than 22-spot Ladybird.

Black, with a covering of dense, patchy white hairs, giving it a silvery hue.

The hairs whorl in chaotic fashion, creating the appearance of bald patches or darker barring as they catch the light.

The clubbed antennae are as long as the head width, with a characteristic bend midway resembling a metal coat hanger.

Waltham Abbey, North Essex

With 22-spot Ladybird

Waltham Abbey, North Essex

Waltham Abbey, North Essex

Waltham Abbey, North Essex

A very distinctive feature is the red rear end on the underside.

This contrasts with the dark front sections.

In bright sunlight it appears a bright orangey red but in dull conditions it appears browner and duller. In all lighting conditions the underside of this species resembles a glowing ember.

Waltham Abbey, North Essex

Waltham Abbey, North Essex

Waltham Abbey, North Essex

The red rear end can sometimes be seen from above, protruding beyond the rear of the wing cases.

Upshire, North Essex

With 7-spot Ladybird

With Cream-spot Ladybird

With Pine Ladybird

With Epaulet Ladybird

Four with two Epaulet Ladybirds

On garden wheelie bin lid Upshire, North Essex

Newly emerged individuals that have not fully developed the dark pigments look very different, with orange wing cases and orange underparts.

Upshire, North Essex

Upshire, North Essex

Upshire, North Essex

Upshire, North Essex

Upshire, North Essex

Upshire, North Essex

Upshire, North Essex

Upshire, North Essex

Still developing dark pigment on front underside areas
Upshire, North Essex

Habitat

Overlaps with other adventive or established species (recent arrivals associated with man made habitats), especially Red-flanked and Round-keeled Ladybirds.

Can be easy to find by beating garden Euonymus shrubs and I have also found it in a garden wheelie bin containing prunings of Firethorn.

In 2023 I found Forestier's Ladybirds by beating Firethorn and Viburnum tinus shrubs.

Euonymus. Upshire, North Essex

Euonymus. Waltham Abbey, North Essex

Euonymus. Waltham Abbey, North Essex

Firethorn. Upshire, North Essex

Firethorn prunings containing Forestier's Ladybird

Viburnum tinus shrub Metfield, East Suffolk

I have also found it on Ivy covered tree trunks at Fishers Green, Essex and on Ivy and Holly in Epping Forest, Essex. Forestier's Ladybird can occur in deeply shaded woodland settings, where this species can be searched for on Holly and Ivy during winter.