Once an aphid is found and consumed, however, the beetle intensively searches the immediate area. In addition, lady beetles respond positively to light and negatively to gravity and intensify search behavior when aphid honeydew is encountered. Since aphids are congregated in colonies in the upper parts of the canopy, this search pattern tends to bring predators in contact with prey. Eggs are bright orange ovals laid on end in groups. Pupae may be found on leaves, attached by the narrow posterior end.
Adults are usually red or orange with black spots, or black with red spots.
There is some variation in spot patterns within species. When larvae hatch from eggs they begin to feed on nearby unhatched eggs and other small larvae. There are usually four instars. The voracity of small larvae is relatively low. First and second instar larvae kill 2-20 aphids per day.