10 Spot Ladybird - Adalia decempunctata

A small and variable ladybird - which confusingly doesn't always have 10 spots. Newly hatched specimens take a while to develop the orange background colour and appear pale brown like the image below. The legs are brown in this species which is a helpful guide to identification (c.f. 2 Spot Ladybird, which has black legs).

Some colour forms can be difficult to distinguish from the 2 Spot Ladybird, but this has black legs. 

Unless identified by a recognised expert, good photos are required that show the key ID features. Also state the size in the comments box.

Woodland, gardens with trees.

They are active from March to October.

Both adults and larvae feed on aphids and are useful in keeping these down. They often hibernate in huge aggregations in sheds or under loose tree bark.

Very common throughout Britain though less so in the far north.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.