(ladybugs are also called ladybird beetles & ladybeetles)
Species Olla v-nigrum
I had to go to Southern Utah to find the gray color variant of this lady beetle. What a pleasant surprise to see it in
Grafton, Utah while I was on a birdwatching field trip.
In trying to remove the tiny green leaf lying atop the beetle, I knocked the little lady off her perch
and so ended the photo shoot. Drat! Below are photos of the red and black variant of this beautiful
beetle. Notice the upturned edge on the shell - like a tiny helmet. This is a trait of the species.
© Carol Davis, 5-15-2010
I've lived a long time in Utah and never seen one of these. And, to find one the last day of November is even crazier.
The temperature was in the low 50's. I think the only reason it was visible was because it was seeking the warmth
of the sun so it was on top of the bush. It is the only North American species in the genus Olla. There is another
black and red lady beetle, very similar to this one, in the species Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle but the face on the
Olla is distinctive. This beetle was so cute I wanted to take it home with me, but I would never do that since
plants, insects and animals inside a park are protected. © Carol Davis, 11-30-2008
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