Lady Beetle
Cheilomenes lunata
Observed on foliage of a cucurbitaceae vine growing on a fence in Nairobi, Kenya, January 2012.
Most species of lady bird beetles ("Ladybugs") are predatory on soft bodied insects like aphids and scales and this one appears to prefer aphids. Some are very specialized and prey on a very narrow range of insects. Others are able to switch their diet depending on what is available. A few species eat plants instead and are pests to agriculture. The Colorado Potato Beetle is best known. Identification of this beetle was made easy because Bernhard posted a photo on Flickr. This species has been identified as beneficial in agricultural systems to control aphids.
Observed at Corner Baridi, Kiserian,
Kenya, Dec 2014.
The smaller male is behind.