Seven-spotted lady beetle

Description:

The seven-spot ladybird (or, in North America, seven-spotted ladybug or "C-7"), is the most common ladybird in Europe. Its elytra are of a red color, 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 common and scientific names (from the Latin septem = "seven" and punctus = "spot"). (information from Wikipedia)

Habitat:

In a garden in a city park

Notes:

This widespread palearctic species was intentionally introduced into N. America several times from 1956 to 1971 for biological control of aphids. All of those attempts apparently failed in getting C. septempunctata established, but in 1973 an established population was found in Bergen Co., New Jersey. This population is thought to have been the result of an accidental introduction rather than a purposeful one. Since 1973, this species has spread naturally and been colonized and established in Delaware, Georgia, and Oklahoma. It has since spread throughout North America. (information from BugGuide)