Easily camouflaged, the Larch Ladybird is a plain brown ladybird found in woodland where it favours Larch and other conifers.
Fast facts
- Common name
- Larch Ladybird
- Scientific name
- Aphidecta obliterata
- When to see it
- Year round
- Habitat
- Coniferous and mixed woodland
Description
A plain brown ladybird with very little patterning, the Larch Ladybird is a conifer specialist typically found on Larch trees.
Identification
Rather plain in appearance compared to its spotted relatives, the Larch Ladybird is brown with very few spots. Its pronotum has a dark M-shaped marking and it displays a single dark line down the centre of its body.
A plain brown ladybird with no spots © Gilles San Martin 
Brown speckles are sometimes present © Ian Beddison
Ecology
A conifer specialist, this ladybird eats sap-sucking bugs and scale insects. Most records are from Larch trees, hence its name, but they can also be found on Norway Spruce, Douglas Fir and Scots Pine.
It can often be encountered by checking the bark of conifers or by gently tapping foliage.
Spotted this ladybird?
Think you’ve spotted a Larch Ladybird? Share your sighting with the North East Ladybird Spot to contribute to the conservation and study of our region’s ladybirds.
Regional distribution
An under-recorded species in the region, with records scattered across Northumberland and County Durham. Look out for this ladybird anywhere there are conifers.
The best method to find Larch Ladybirds is to beat or tap your sweep net on conifer foliage, but they can also be encountered hibernating on bark and fence posts.