Anatis ocellata Linnaeus

Eyed ladybird

[Morphology] 6 - 9.5 mm. Very large ladybird, with distinct lighter patches around the spots (hence 'eyed'). Even when these patches do not appear, it can be easily recognized by the pattern of the pronotum.

They larvae of the species is known to feed occasionally on the larvae of other ladybirds and even on their own (cannibalism). When culturing them we had to take very good care to protect pre-pupae and smaller larvae from the larger ones.
[Ecology] picea, pinus
[Distribution] Not uncommon, but usually not in large numbers.
Once in a while large groups appear on beaches.

The reason for this behaviour is thought to be that when food is scarce they venture out until they reach a stretch of water to large to cross. So it is not an invasion from oversees as is sometimes suggested.


° NL:Oogvleklieveheersbeestje ° FR:coccinelle ocellée ° D:Augenfleck-Marienkäfer °