A welcome and beneficial insect to have in the garden. In this larval stage ladybird / ladybugs have voracious appetites and in the two weeks it takes to become fully grown a single larva can consume up to 400 aphids or other soft bodied pests including scale insects, adelgids, mites and insect eggs.
Nature on the Edge 
Excellent shot, Liz. When the adults that overwintered in the hidden corners of our house emerged in March, I put them on a couple houseplants that had aphids. They ate some, laid eggs and I found instars munching happily. They cleaned up the plants quite tidily. I love that!
That’s brilliant – nature creating a balance. No pesticide required 🙂
Yes!
A garden warrior, and what an excellent photograph to show him off!
Thanks Dries, was very happy to see the activity in the garden …. need these little critters.
Lovely shot of this useful little beast
Useful it is….. so happy to see them in action 🙂
A beautifully clear photograph!
Thanks Anne. Am tracking the action, and think this is a third phase instar…. bigger than others seen on the bush.
Great picture. I love when I see them on my plants. Thanks for posting this.
🙂 guardians of plants keeping a healthy bug balance.