DESCRIPTION: Length up to 5mm. The general ground colour is a pleasing orange-brown with the elytra covered in several creamy spots and other markings.  The pronotum holds one of the major keys to identifying this species with a the orange-brown and creamy white colouring giving rise to a brown ‘M’ shape not found in other species.  DISTRIBUTION: Widespread throughout Britian but somewhat localised. BEHAVIOUR: Tends to stay on the host plant and therefore needs finding with the use of a beating tray.  Adults overwinter in aggregations under peeled-off bark and in crevices at the bases of old pine trunks. This is a predatory species that feeds on pine-dwelling aphids. Attracted to light in very small numbers. HABITAT: A conifer tree-dwelling ladybird with an especial fondness for Scot's-Pines.  Even the odd solitary tree can hold a small colony.  PERIOD: Can be seen throughout ther year but best seen during April to October.