Macrophotograph of a \seven-spot\" ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata, feeding on aphids on a plant stalk. Aphids are the ladybird's main food

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Macrophotograph of a \seven-spot\" ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata, feeding on aphids on a plant stalk. Aphids are the ladybird's main food source; this beetle is encouraged by gardeners since aphids are serious pests of flowers, vegetables & some fruit trees. Coccinella septem- punctata is about 7mm long, with short antennae, & despite its short legs it is a good runner and a voracious aphid hunter. Seven black spots are found on the bright red wing covers of the beetle. The red and black colour is a warning colouration to predators, because this ladybird is able to squirt distasteful fluids from its limb joints."

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Size: 3409px × 5067px
Photo credit: © CLAUDE NURIDSANY & MARIE PERENNOU/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, aphid, aphids, beetle, coccinella, eaten, eating, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, ladybird, nature, septempunctata, type, wildlife, zoology