Ladybird

In the garden a stout tomato red ladybird was going about her business this evening. Or eating the tiny delicate tangle of stems and minuscule buds of white flowers that was she climbing on – which I believe is Hedge Bedstraw.

Seen here in a dreamy cloud of pale green and white, we’re slightly underneath her so her little black beetle undersides are on show. Her little legs are tucked under her tightly clinging to tiny leaf; Her black and white spotted face seems quite intent on something in her grasp.

Ladybirds have a very romantic tradition around them – almost every child would know the red bug with black spots is a friendly lady bird. But from underneath or up close they are definitely beetles, with beetley little leggies and mandibles !