Seven-spotted ladybird Coccinella septempunctata

Seven-spotted ladybird Coccinella septempunctata

Description

Title:
Seven-spotted ladybird Coccinella septempunctata
Caption / Description:

Coccinella septempunctata, the seven-spot ladybird (or, in North America, seven-spotted ladybug or "C-7"), is the most common ladybird in Europe. Its elytra are of a red colour, but punctuated with three black spots each, with one further spot being spread over the junction of the two, making a total of seven spots, from which the species derives both its common and scientific names (from the Latin septem = "seven" and punctata = "spotted").

C. septempunctata has a broad ecological range, living almost anywhere there are aphids for it to eat. Both the adults and the larvae are voracious predators of aphids, and because of this, C. septempunctata has been repeatedly introduced to North America as a biological control agent to reduce aphid numbers, and is now established in North America, and has been subsequently designated the official State insect of six different states (Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee).

In the United Kingdom, there are fears that the seven-spot ladybird is being out-competed for food by the harlequin ladybird. Conversely, in North America, this species has outcompeted many native species, including other Coccinella.

An adult seven-spot ladybird may reach a body length between 0.76 and 1.0cm (7.6 and 10mm). Their distinctive spots and attractive colors are meant to 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 unappetizing substance to protect itself.

Description from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinella_septempunctata

Tags / Keywords:
  • Biota
  • Life
  • Vitae
  • Eukaryota
  • Animalia
  • Animals
  • Arthropoda
  • Arthropods
  • Insecta
  • Insects
  • Coleoptera
  • Beetles
  • Coccinellidae
  • Ladybirds
  • Ladybugs
  • Lady beetles
  • Coccinella
  • Coccinella septempunctata
  • Seven-spotted ladybird
  • Seven-spotted ladybug
  • Seven-spotted lady beetle

Admin

Date Original Photo Taken:
Original File Name:
_DSC0949.psd
Event:
Rating:
Date this image added/last updated on website:
Original File Dimensions:
3872px x 2592px
File Type:
JPEG
Color Mode:
RGB
Original Image Color Profile:
Nikon Adobe RGB 4.0.0.3000

Location

Location Created:
Sublocation:
City:
Market Harborough
Province/State:
Leicestershire
Country:
United Kingdom
World Region:
Europe
Geo-location:

Rights

Copyright Status:
Copyrighted
Licensing Status:
Rights Managed
Available for Editorial Use:
Yes
Available for Commercial Use:
Yes
Copyright Notice:
© 2008 Dave Kennard

Camera Data

Date Digital Resource was created:
Shutter speed:
1200 s
Aperture:
f/0
Camera Model:
Nikon D200
ISO:
160
Exposure Compensation:
+1/3
Focal Length:
Focal Length (35mm equiv.):
Metering Mode:
Center-weighted average
Flash:
Fired, Return not detected
Exposure Mode:
Manual
White Balance:
Auto
Light Source:
Unknown
Exposure Program:
Manual

Additional shooting metadata

Lens:
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor ED 18-70mm F3.5-4.5G(IF)
Filters used:
Additional Optics used:
  • Nikon BR-2A
Setup:
Handheld
Reverse mounted 18-70/3.5-4.5 lens

Post Processing

Image Modified:
Software used:
  • Adobe Photoshop CS4
  • Nikon Capture NX
Post Processing:

NEF converted in Capture NX
Background blurred and desaturated in Photoshop CS4