Project Description

Ladybirds are found in a wide variety of habitats. The most well know species is the 7-spot ladybird, for it is a common and widespread species, found in all gardens. Most ladybird are predators, with both adults and larvae feeding on aphids and other pests that damage crops. In this regard, they are considered beneficial insects.

Ladybirds belong to the insect Family of Coccinellidae, 27 species of which occur in Ireland. Some of these are small and unspotted and would not be considered ‘typical’ ladybirds; generally Ladybirds refer to 19 species that have been recorded in Ireland. Quite an amount of data exists on the distribution and status of ladybirds in Northern Ireland, but the status and distribution of ladybirds in the Republic of Ireland is less well understood. Find out more about Ireland’s ladybirds here.

To address this knowledge gap, the National Biodiversity Data Centre is initiating a Ladybird Atlas 2025 project. The Ladybird Atlas 2025 project has two objectives. First, to increase the amount of observation of ladybirds in order to produce more comprehensive distribution maps for all 19 species of ladybird. And second, to improve knowledge of habitat preferences of the different species of ladybird.

You can contribute to the Atlas by adding your sightings here.

Other resources: Habitas UK, Coleoptera.co.uk, The Dublin Ladybird Project.