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Project Noah Nature School
Coccinella septempunctata
It is the most common ladybird in Europe. Its elytra are of a red colour, 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. Their distinctive spots and attractive colours are meant to make them unappealing to predators. The species can secrete a fluid from joints in their legs which gives them a foul taste. A threatened ladybug may both play dead and secrete the unappetising substance to protect itself. The seven-spot ladybird synthesizes the toxic alkaloids, N-oxide coccinelline and its free base precoccinelline; depending on sex and diet, the spot size and coloration can provide some indication of how toxic the individual bug is to potential predators.
Spotted at a prairie in the mountains, 1000 meters high. Parque Natural de La Pedriza, Sierra de Guadarrama
Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/640 sec.; f/13. ISO Speed Rating: 400. Focal Length: 300.0 mm.
Spotted on May 5, 2013
Submitted on May 30, 2013
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