Morphology

The red elytra often show three black spots which can be more numerous or fused.
Pronotum can have a distinct white edging at the base on the anterior and lateral margins and sometimes two white spots.

Diet

It is a large species which eats aphids avidly:

• Aphis fabae
• Mysus persicae
• Hyalopterus pruni
• Acyrtosiphon pisum

It can also draw on other food sources: Coccoidea, nectar, pollen or honeydew.

Habitat

The species is found at low to shrubby levels of vegetation. It is multivoltine and can be seen in thermophile environments from March to October.

Natural enemies

• Perilitus coccinellae