While some of our ladybirds rank among the most recognisable and familiar of all British insects, many species are poorly known and under-recorded. The recently published Field Guide to the Ladybirds of Britain and Ireland (Roy & Brown 2018), illustrated by Richard Lewington, provides a comprehensive introduction to this fascinating group of beetles, and explains the rewards of delving beyond the brightly coloured species into the study of early stages and ‘inconspicuous’ ladybirds.
Ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are one of the most popular insect groups. The brightly coloured wing cases (elytra) of many species add to their appeal, while the diversity of their life histories makes them an intriguing group to study.