Coccinella septempunctata – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Their distinctive spots and attractive colours apparently make them unappealing to predators. The species can secrete a fluid from joints in their legs which gives them a foul taste. A threatened ladybug may both play dead and secrete the unappetising substance to protect itself. The seven-spot ladybird synthesizes the toxic alkaloids, N-oxide coccinelline and its free base precoccinelline; depending on sex and diet, the spot size and coloration can provide some indication of how toxic the individual bug is to potential predators.
Very attractive…….
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Thanks Vikey.
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Interesting information Mike. I thought ladybirds were just nice little creatures that ate greenfly and such.
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Indeed! I didn’t realise the animals that prey on ladybirds are able to count spots.
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