Mademoiselle Coccinelle

This photograph of a ladybird (or ladybug as they are known in America) was taken just after the rain in the French Alps (Annecy) and just before dark. This particular specimen is a 7 spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) which is the most common variety in Europe. 

Both the adults and the larvae are voracious predators of aphids.