Macro picture of ladybug/ladybird (Coccinellidae) hunting plant lice

Macro picture of ladybug/ladybird (Coccinellidae) hunting plant lice
Taken with Olympus E500 digital camera August 8th 2009. Click image for larger view.

I came across this ladybug (or ladybird as it is known in some parts of the world) (Coccinellidae) while I was out photographing. As I looked closer I noticed that the beetle was hunting some plant lice. The lice was feeding on a burdock plant so the plant was probably happy that this ladybug flew by. I have uploaded an extra large version of this picture so please click it to see a larger version where you can see more details.

We have 54 different species of ladybugs in Norway and I’m not completely certain what kind this is as I forgot to count the number of spots on its back. Many of the species feed on plant lice like the ones photographed here, and they are important to keep plant lice in check so their numbers do not get out of control.

Please check out my other insect pictures here.

Information about the picture:
Camera: Olympus E-500 digital SLR camera
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/5.0
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Lens: Olympus Zuiko Digital 35mm F3.5 Macro
Location: Fjellstrand in Nesodden, Akershus in southeast of Norway