Two-spotted lady beetle vs Large spotted ladybird

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

≠The key differences

Smaller and usually shows two distinct black spots on red elytra; body shape and spot count help distinguish it from H. conformis.

	Two-spotted lady beetle	Large spotted ladybird
To humans	Non-toxic	Non-toxic
Size	3.5-5 mm long	5-7 mm long (adult body length)
Colours	Red, Black, Orange	Orange-red, Black, White, Yellow
Family	Coccinellidae	Coccinellidae
Habitat	Gardens, orchards, parks, hedgerows, field margins and other places where aphids occur; also found on trees and shrubs	Gardens, orchards, agricultural fields, eucalypt woodland and forest edges; adults shelter under bark or in buildings to overwinter.
Range	Holarctic: native across much of Europe, Asia and North America; declining in parts of North America	Native to Australia (especially the south-east and Tasmania); introduced to New Zealand and Hawaii.
Active	Spring to autumn; active by day (diurnal); adults overwinter in sheltered sites	Most active in spring and summer; adults may aggregate and be found indoors in autumn and winter.
Pest?	No	No

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

Relatively large ladybird with oval, domed body 5-7 mm long.
Orange elytra with about 20 black spots (around 10 per wing cover), some occasionally merged.
Pronotum pale with distinctive black markings forming central dark patches or comma-like marks.
Larvae are dark, elongated and alligator-like, commonly found on plants with aphids.

Smaller and usually shows two distinct black spots on red elytra; body shape and spot count help distinguish it from H. conformis.

Two-spotted lady beetle: Non-toxic. Large spotted ladybird: Non-toxic. Not dangerous. Not dangerous or venomous.

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