Sleeping Ladybird

This mature elevenspotted ladybird stood out like a stoplight. The heavy cloud cover meant that it was pleasantly cooler, but very gloomy.

The elevenspotted ladybird, Coccinella undecimpunctata, was introduced to New Zealand from England in 1874 to control aphids, and they are doing a great job. Unlike the twospotted ladybird, they lay their eggs in the ground.