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.

This is now an abundant species in my recording area. I recorded it on 15 occasions in 2018 and 29 times in 2019.

Identification Length 3.2mm

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

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

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

Waltham Abbey, Essex

With 22-spot Ladybird

Waltham Abbey, Essex

Waltham Abbey, Essex

Waltham Abbey, 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, Essex

Waltham Abbey, Essex

Waltham Abbey, Essex

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

Upshire, Essex

With Cream-spot Ladybird

With Pine Ladybird

With Round-keeled Ladybird

Four with two Round-keeled Ladybirds

On garden wheelie bin lid Upshire, Essex

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

Upshire, Essex

Upshire, Essex

Upshire, Essex

Upshire, Essex

Upshire, Essex

Upshire, Essex

Upshire, Essex

Upshire, Essex

Still developing dark pigment on front underside areas

Upshire, 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.

Euonymus. Upshire, Essex

Euonymus. Waltham Abbey, Essex

Euonymus. Waltham Abbey, Essex

Firethorn. Upshire, Essex

Firethorn prunings containing Forestier's Ladybird

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.