Fourteen-spotted ladybird vs Two-spotted lady beetle

These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a fourteen-spotted ladybird from a two-spotted lady beetle, and whether either one bites or stings.

≠The key differences

Usually red with two black spots (melanic forms are black with red spots); fewer spots and a different pronotum pattern distinguish it.

	Fourteen-spotted ladybird	Two-spotted lady beetle
To humans	Non-toxic	Non-toxic
Size	3.5-5 mm long	3.5-5 mm long
Colours	Yellow, Black, Orange	Red, Black, Orange
Family	Coccinellidae	Coccinellidae
Habitat	Gardens, meadows, hedgerows, agricultural fields, shrubs and other vegetation where aphids are present; also shelters for overwintering in leaf litter and buildings.	Gardens, orchards, parks, hedgerows, field margins and other places where aphids occur; also found on trees and shrubs
Range	Native across much of Europe and parts of western Asia; introduced and established in parts of North America.	Holarctic: native across much of Europe, Asia and North America; declining in parts of North America
Active	Active mainly spring through autumn; diurnal (daytime) hunters; adults often most visible in warm sunny weather.	Spring to autumn; active by day (diurnal); adults overwinter in sheltered sites
Pest?	No	No

Small size (about 3.5-5 mm) and rounded, domed beetle shape
Yellow to cream elytra marked with squarish black spots, often counted as fourteen and frequently merged
Pronotum pale with a dark central marking; body outline and spot pattern differ from larger ladybirds
Be aware of dark (melanic) variants; check size and habitat if spot pattern is unclear

Small domed beetle 3.5-5 mm long with one large spot on each elytron (two spots total) in the common red/orange form
Colour polymorphism: check for black form with a pair of orange/red spots; pronotal markings (white or pale patches) help confirm identity
Smaller and with different pronotal pattern than the larger Harmonia axyridis (Asian lady beetle) and different spot counts from Coccinella septempunctata

Usually red with two black spots (melanic forms are black with red spots); fewer spots and a different pronotum pattern distinguish it.

Fourteen-spotted ladybird: Non-toxic. Two-spotted lady beetle: Non-toxic. This species does not pose a health risk. Not dangerous.

Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.