The two-spot ladybird is very common and has very similar habits to the seven-spot ladybird.

Statistics
Two-spot ladybirds are 4-6mm in length.

Physical description
Two-spot ladybirds are small round beetles with red elytra (wing cases), each with a single black spot. The thorax is black with two large white markings at the side and the head is black. The colouration and patterning of these beetles can be quite variable.

Distribution
They are widespread and common in Britain and Europe.

Habitat
Two-spot ladybirds inhabit gardens, woodland and hedgerows.

Diet
They have a varied diet of small insects but favour plant-lice and aphids.

Behaviour
Larvae and adults patrol plants hunting for insects to eat. In winter adult ladybirds congregate in large numbers to hibernate. They are sometimes found hibernating indoors, where they like to gather together in the corners of window frames.

Reproduction
Females lay up to 20 eggs. Larvae pupate about 30 days after hatching.

Conservation status
They are not listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List 2000.