Seven-spot Ladybird
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…….
Thanks Vikey.
Interesting information Mike. I thought ladybirds were just nice little creatures that ate greenfly and such.
Indeed! I didn’t realise the animals that prey on ladybirds are able to count spots.