Everyone knows the pretty bright red ladybirds with their black dots on their wings. Not only different types of beetle, but also different individuals have different numbers of dots. But what are the dots on ladybirds actually for?


The pattern and colour on the ladybird's body serve as a warning sign for its natural enemies. There are numerous other colour combinations, e.g. yellow with black dots, black with white dots or dark blue with orange dots. The number of dots varies in different beetle species. The most well-known ladybird with a red back and black dots usually has between two and seven dots.

The colour pattern of some ladybirds changes with the season. In autumn and winter, they take on a more brownish hue to camouflage themselves in the natural background. In spring they turn a bright red colour. In defence against natural enemies, ladybirds secrete a foul-smelling liquid (haemolymph). The fluid is found in the pores of the legs and has a repellent effect against potential aggressors.

The widespread assumption that the number of dots on ladybirds indicates the age of the beetle is incorrect.