Seven-spot ladybird vs Pink spotted lady beetle

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

≠The key differences

Usually larger and more rounded with exactly seven spots (three on each elytron and one central) and a more uniform red background.

	Seven-spot ladybird	Pink spotted lady beetle
To humans	Non-toxic	Non-toxic
Size	5-8 mm body length	5-6 mm long
Colours	Red, Black, White, Dark brown	Pink, Red-orange, Black, Pale cream
Family	Coccinellidae	Coccinellidae
Habitat	Gardens, meadows, hedgerows, orchards, farmland and other vegetated areas with aphid presence; occasionally enters buildings to overwinter.	Open habitats: agricultural fields, gardens, meadows, orchards, roadsides and edges where aphid prey and flowering plants occur
Range	Native to Europe and parts of Asia; introduced and established in North America and other regions as a biological control agent.	Widespread across North America; found in much of the United States and southern Canada
Active	Spring to autumn for feeding and breeding; adults active by day. Overwintering in autumn and winter in sheltered sites.	Spring to fall; most active during warm daylight hours
Pest?	No	No

Bright red to orange elytra with seven clear black spots (three on each elytron and one shared spot at the front of the wing covers).
Black head and pronotum with distinct white or pale markings on the pronotum.
Broad, dome-shaped beetle 5-8 mm long with shiny appearance.
Larvae are dark, elongated and alligator-like with orange markings (if present on plants with aphids).

Usually larger and more rounded with exactly seven spots (three on each elytron and one central) and a more uniform red background.

Seven-spot ladybird: Non-toxic. Pink spotted lady beetle: Non-toxic. Not dangerous. 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.