Pine Ladybird Exochomus quadripustulatus

Pine Ladybird
Pine Ladybird
The Pine Ladybird is tiny (3-4mm long) and usually black with four, but sometimes two, red spots, - the two forward spots being comma-shaped. There is an unusual reddish-brown version.
Pine Ladybird on pear
Pine Ladybird and ant
Like other ladybirds, it's larva eats garden pests including scale insects and aphids. This adult seems to prefer pear. Unfortunately, ants like sweet pears too, causing the ladybird to clamp down.
Pine Ladybird with indistinct spots
Pine Ladybird with six red spots
Pine Ladybird with bright spots
The red markings can be quite indistinct (above left) or very bright (above right). The centre one above appears to have 6 red spots (but it must be the light through the open far wingcase).
Pine Ladybird
Pine Ladybird
Pine Ladybird
The wing cases on the body have a distinct upward-turning rim.
Pine Ladybirds coupled
Pine Ladybirds coupled
Pine Ladybirds coupled
Like most ladybirds, male and female have a similar appearance. These two continued to walk around while coupled.
Pine Ladybirds
Pine ladybirds
Pine Ladybird size comparison with Seven-spot
Pine Ladybird size comparison
Size comparison: Pine Ladybird with Seven-spot and millimetre tape measure.
Pine Ladybirds measured
Harlequin Ladybird measured
Harlequin Ladybird measured
Above left is a Pine Ladybird next to a mm ruler, coming in at just over 4mm long (one of the largest). Above centre and right is a Harlequin Ladybird mimicking a small, two-spotted, black ladybird, coming in at 6mm (one of the smaller). Some small Harlequins have four red spots on black (with brown legs, whereas Pine and Two-spot have black legs).