This lady beetle is dome- shaped, looking a bit like a helmet. When viewed from above it is almost a complete circle.
They are dark metallic blue with the wing casings flaring out at the bottom. When feeding on scales being protected by ants, the lady beetles are able to withdraw their legs and antennae underneath their bodies and lower themselves so that the wing covers are flush with the surface. The hard wing covers protect them from the ants.
The males tend to be more of a metallic green colour. They also have a pale yellow spot each side behind the eyes (on the pronotum).
Larvae are yellow (may be bright or pale) and brown with spiky tufts sticking out in rows along their body.
The pupae are black, brown and white, with spikes over the surface.
Adult size: 4 mm
