First edition, 1994. The book has the bookplate of Eric Hosking to the front pastedown (bird photographer and photographic editor of the New Naturalist library 1943 - 91). The bookplate was posthumously imposed by David Hosking, son and professional collaborator of Eric Hosking. Hardback. 367pp. Unclipped dust jacket in a protective sleeve. despite their popularity very little information had been published about ladybirds prior to this book by Michael Majerus which redressed the balance. The book discusses the structure of ladybirds, their life histories, food, enemies, habitats, distributions, colours and patterns, genetics and evolution. He sheds light on the phenomenon of cannibalism in ladybirds and the then recent discovery of a ‘feminist’ bacterium that kills eggs destined to produce males but not those destined to produce females. Finally, there is a discussion on the use and potential use of ladybirds a biological control agents, how they are under threat from humans and what we can do to conserve them. A definitive work on the natural history of these delightful beetles.