Exochomus quadripustulatus

[1][2][3] The distribution range of E. quadripustulatus includes Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America.

The color of these spots can also be orange or yellow, but completely reddish brown specimens may occur.

The pine ladybird in both adult and larval stages preys aphids and scale insects, especially Diaspidiotus perniciosus.

[4] This fairly common ladybug can be found from April to October on conifers and in areas with deciduous trees, but it can also occur elsewhere.

Exochomus quadripustulatus helps with biological control in infested areas by being a candidate predator of Toumeyella parvicornis, an alien pest that infests stone pines; it has been observed to be more attracted to conspecific and heterospecific ladybugs than Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, another candidate predator, and responds to prey more quickly.