Red-headed Ladybird Rhyzobius lophanthae

Other names: Red-headed Rhyzobius Plum-headed Ladybird

This species has spread rapidly in southern England and is associated with Leyland Cypress.

Identification Length 2.0mm

Straightforward if seen well.

Black elytra (wing cases) have distinctive extra long bristles.

The head and pronotum are a brownish red or plum colour, as is the entire underside.

In bright sunshine the head and pronotum can appear a brighter orangey-red colour.

On some individuals, and in some dull lighting conditions, the plum colour is darker and at first glance they can resemble one of the all black Scymnus species.

Typical plum-coloured front
Upshire, North Essex

Bright orangey-brown front
Upshire, North Essex

Dark non contrasting front Waltham Abbey, North Essex

Waltham Abbey, North Essex

Waltham Abbey, North Essex

Extra long bristles on sides Waltham Abbey, North Essex

Waltham Abbey, North Essex

All orangey brown underside

With Epaulet Ladybird

With Forestier's Ladybird

With 10-spot Ladybird

Upshire, North Essex

Larvae

The larvae can be found whilst searching for adults and are quite distinctive.

They resemble other typical ladybird larvae but are much smaller.

They are a dark grey with a distinctive pale cream patch in the centre, covering four segments.

Upshire, North Essex

Habitat

Has a strong affinity with Leyland Cypress. I have often found them in garden wheelie bins which have been filled with prunings from Leyland Cypress hedges.

Leyland Cypress hedge. Waltham Abbey, North Essex

Leyland Cypress prunings containing six Red-headed Ladybirds

I have beaten Red-headed Ladybird from an Ivy covered fence but I quickly realised that this was located opposite a large Leyland Cypress hedge.

Ivy opposite Leyland Cypress hedge Waltham Abbey, North Essex

They sometimes also occur with Round-keeled, Red-flanked and Forestier's Ladybirds in garden wheelie bins containing mixed prunings of evergreen shrubs, although they are rarely common.

I have also beaten Red-headed Ladybird from Euonymus shrubs, ornamental Juniper and Yew. They are likely to occur occasionally in other evergreen garden shrubs, although are not as frequent in this habitat as the closely related Forestier's or Epaulet Ladybirds.