Most coccinellids have oval, dome-shaped bodies with six short legs.
Depending on the species, they can have spots, stripes, or no markings at
all. Seven-spotted coccinellids are red or orange with three spots on each
side and one in the middle; they have a black head with white patches on
each side.
As well as the usual yellow and deep red colourings, many coccinellid
species are mostly, or entirely, black, dark grey, gray, or brown, and may
be difficult for an entomologist/nonentomologists to recognise as
coccinellids at all. Conversely, non-entomologists might easily mistake many
other small beetles for coccinellids.
A common myth, totally unfounded, is that the number of spots on the insect'
s back indicates its age.[13][14] In fact, the underlying pattern and
colouration are determined by the species and genetics of the beetle, and
develop as the insect matures. In some species its appearance is fixed by
the time it emerges from its pupa, though in most it may take some days for
the colour of the adult beetle to mature and stabilise. Generally, the
mature colour tends to be fuller and darker than the colour of the callow.
