Coccinellidae

'R' found a couple of these ladybirds whilst tidying up the garden. Ladybirds should be the gardener's favourite family of beetles as, with the exception of a couple of species, both adults and larvae are excellent predators of aphids and other pests. The bold colours and markings help to warn off potential predators.

Ladybirds are called Ladybugs in the US. In Europe they are also referred to as lady beetles. They have many regional names (now mostly disused) in the UK such as the lady-cows, may-bug, golden-knop, golden-bugs (Suffolk); and variations on Bishop-Barnaby (Norfolk dialect) – Barnabee, Burnabee, the Bishop-that-burneth, and bishy bishy barnabee.