Lady beetles are the Coccinellidae, a family of beetles.
All species are protected by noxious fluids based on cyanide, and most have warning colouration, such as red with black spots or black stripes.
 
They are often called ladybugs or ladybirds, but biologists prefer the term 'coccinellid' or 'lady beetle'.

Coccinellids are found worldwide, with over 5,000 species.
Most species are insectivorous, feeding mainly on 
the true bugs, the Hemiptera.
These are insects which feed on plants, such as aphids (greenfly) or scale insects.
Ladybeetle larvae are also voracious (greedy) eaters of greenfly.

Harmonia axyridis (or harlequin ladybug) was introduced into North America from Asia in 1988 to control aphids.
It is now the most common species there, out-competing many of the native species.
It has since spread to much of western Europe, reaching the UK in 2004.
Lady beetles are the Coccinellidae, a family of beetles. All species are protected by noxious fluids based on cyanide, and most have warning colouration, such as red with black spots or black stripes.  
They are often called ladybugs or ladybirds, but biologists prefer the term 'coccinellid' or 'lady beetle'.
Coccinellids are found worldwide, with over 5,000 species. Most species are insectivorous, feeding mainly on 
the true bugs, the Hemiptera. These are insects which feed on plants, such as aphids (greenfly) or scale insects. Ladybeetle larvae are also voracious (greedy) eaters of greenfly.
Harmonia axyridis (or harlequin ladybug) was introduced into North America from Asia in 1988 to control aphids. It is now the most common species there, out-competing many of the native species. It has since spread to much of western Europe, reaching the UK in 2004.
Lady beetle