Seven-Spot Ladybird: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Beetles and Friends · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. During a heatwave in 1976, an estimated 23.65 billion seven-spot ladybirds swarmed along England's eastern and southern coasts.
2. When threatened, it oozes a bad-tasting fluid from its leg joints. This trick is called reflex bleeding.
3. This little beetle is a strong flier: a healthy ladybird can usually travel up to 120 km, as high as 1,000 m in the sky.
4. Before winter, it gives off a scent that calls other ladybirds to its shelter. They huddle in clusters for warmth and safety.
5. Legend says medieval farmers named it the Beetle of Our Lady, which became ladybird. Its seven spots stood for Mary's joys and sorrows.

The quiz

1. What happened to seven-spot ladybirds in England in 1976?

• They vanished completely
• They turned blue
• Billions swarmed the coasts (correct)
• They all slept through summer

About 23.65 billion swarmed England's coasts that year.

2. Where does the bad-tasting fluid come out when a ladybird is threatened?

• Its leg joints (correct)
• Its antennae
• Its eyes
• The tips of its wings

In reflex bleeding, the fluid comes from its leg joints.

3. How far can a healthy seven-spot ladybird usually fly?

• Only about 1 m
• About 5 km at most
• It cannot fly
• Up to 120 km (correct)

A ladybird in good shape can usually cover 120 km in the air.

4. How do seven-spot ladybirds spend the winter?

• Alone, each in its own hole
• Huddled together in clusters (correct)
• Flying south to Africa
• Swimming in ponds

They gather in clusters for warmth and protection.

5. According to legend, what did the seven spots stand for?

• The seven days of the week
• The seven seas
• Seven lucky stars
• The seven joys and sorrows of Mary (correct)

The spots were said to stand for Mary's seven joys and sorrows.

Same week

All lessons

Nature documentaries