14 Spot ladybird - Propylea quattuordecimpunctata

The most common yellow and black ladybird, though there is much variation in the amount of each colour and the shape of the spots.

All habitats.

It is common on shrubs and is active from May to September.

If handled they exude orange liquid from their joints. This is actually a form of controlled bleeding which stains the hands and is very pungent. Adults and larvae feed on aphids and are useful in keeping these down.

Common in England and Wales at least.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 439 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.