The seven-spotted ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata), otherwise known as the seven-spotted ladybird in Europe, is the most common ladybird. 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 commonand scientific names (from the Latin septem meaning "seven" and punctus meaning "spot"). 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 five different states (Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Tennessee). In the United Kingdom, there are fears that the seven-spot ladybird is being outcompeted for food by the harlequin ladybird. Conversely, in North America, this species has outcompeted many native species, including other Coccinella. Massive swarms of C. punctata took place in the drought summer of 1976 in the UK.
Roles
- It played Rhinoceros Beetle in The Grizzly King
- It played Lya (Mermaid) in Mako Beetles
- It played Otto in Super Robot Insect Team Hyperforce Go!
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