Spotted Marsh Ladybird Coccidula scutellata
A fairly common species of wetland habitats.
Identification Length 2.5-3.0mm
A more orangey-red colour than Red Marsh Ladybird, which is a rufous-red colour.
Distinctive pattern of black spots and markings, though the extent of the black markings are variable.
Two angular black marks join together at the front of the wing cases to form a wide triangle. There are two further oval spots towards the rear third of the central line and the outer edge of each wing case has a rectangular mark at the halfway point.
Occasionally all these markings fuse together.
The antennae are long (longer than the head width) and the outer sides of the pronotum (between the head and the wing cases) are curved and bulge outwards.
The outer edges of the wing cases are straight, forming a parallel sided mid-section.
Amwell, Lee Valley, Hertfordshire
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Fused spots with dark central line Cudmore Grove CP, Mersea Island, North Essex
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Fishers Green, Lee Valley, North Essex
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Fishers Green, Lee Valley, North Essex
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
With Red Marsh Ladybird
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Fishers Green, Lee Valley, North Essex
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Habitat
Occurs in wetland habitats. Whilst it probably occurs in a variety of habitats, I find it most easily on Yellow Flag Iris, especially in May to June.
It can be found by eye, with patience, as it walks up and down the stems, often over open water.
Yellow Flag Iris on lakeside Clayton Hill, North Essex
Wildlife Pond
Fishers Green, Lee Valley, North Essex
Yellow Flag Iris Fishers Green, Lee Valley, North Essex
Yellow Flag Iris
Fishers Green, Lee Valley, North Essex
Often on the same plants as Iris Flea Beetle Aphthona nonstriata.
With Iris Flea Beetle
Can also be found with a sweep net in bankside vegetation.
Patch of lakeside rushes
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Dense ditch side vegetation
Silvermeade, Lee Valley, Hertfordshire
I have also found Spotted Marsh Ladybird by eye, walking over lily pads on a wildlife pond
On lily pads with 7-spot Ladybird
On lily pads Abberton Reservoir, Essex
Additional Photographs
Amwell, Lee Valley, Hertfordshire
Amwell, Lee Valley, Hertfordshire
Amwell, Lee Valley, Hertfordshire
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Fishers Green, Lee Valley, North Essex
Cudmore Grove CP, Mersea, North Essex
Fishers Green, Lee Valley, North Essex
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Pevensey Levels, East Sussex
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Clayton Hill, Lee Valley, North Essex
Abberton Reservoir, Essex
