DESCRIPTION: Up to 5mm. Adults are black all over with the elytra border by a flat flange and with each sport at large red kidney-shaped spot. The antennae and the underside are a distinctive orange in colour. BEHAVIOUR: Very fond of basking in the sun and can be found on leaves and the trunks of trees. The spiky larvae feed on scale insects on the bark of trees and also on Euonymus feeding on the scale. DISTRIBUTION: Frequent and well spread in southern Britain and southern Scotland - absent from far north. HABITAT: Wooded areas, hedgerows and coastal gardens. PERIOD: On the wing from April to October. |
