Fourteen-spot Lady Beetle

lady beetles, Coccinellidae, observed in Mt. Kenya Forest Reserve, Kenya. Photo © by Michael Plagens

Observed on forest trail vegetation, Kirinyaga, Mt Kenya Forest Reserve, Kenya, 01 June 2017.

This species, like many lady beetle species, is contrastingly marked with orange on black. Typically this is a sign that the owner has a strong defense such as a sting, a bite or in this case a potent chemical that would deter an insectivore like a bird. This one has a pattern of four bull's eyes.

Coccinellidae -- Lady Bird Family Epilachninae -- Leaf-eater Subfamily

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Kenya Natural History

Copyright Michael J. Plagens. Page created 3 July 2018.