IDENTIFIER Britain's ladybirds

Though telling a Two-spot variety from a Seven-spot sounds straightforward, it’s surprisingly easy to be off the mark. Spot the difference confidently with our handy guide

Two- spot ladybird

The two-spot sounds simple to spot, right? But it can actually have up to 16 of them. In the north, it’ll likely have an extra two for warmth.

Pine ladybird

No surprise where this ladybird likes to hang out. Keeps it evergreen in the winter and one of the first species to emerge come springtime.

Oran ge ladybird Despite the orange colour, there’s no amber light for this bug, with a huge growth over the 20th century. No stopping the 16 or fewer spots, too.

Eyed ladybird

This bug is easy to eye-spy, with distinctive yellow rings encircling its spots, and reaching up to 10mm in size.

Larch ladybird

Light brown, like the larches and conifers it likes to hang out on. More splodgy, than spotty, but, mmmm, a noticeable ‘M’ marking.

Striped ladybird Though a fan of a Scots Pine, this ladybird shuns the tartan checks for cream stripes – in a very fetching brown colourway, however.

Harlequin ladybird

A 21st-century arrival from Asia, it lacks the checked costume of a traditional harlequin – instead look for the white triangle on its head.

Seven- spot ladybird The seventh wonder? Not just for its spots (three on each side and one in the middle) but for guzzling around 5,000 aphids over its lifetime.

Water ladybird

A water baby-ladybird, which hangs out amongst rushes and reeds. Even splashes out on a costume change from red to beige in autumn.