The red and black coloration of a ladybird beetle is a case of:
The conspicuous red-and-black pattern of many ladybird beetles advertises chemical defenses and unpalatability. When disturbed, ladybirds may release alkaloid-containing fluid through reflex bleeding, and predators can learn to associate the visible pattern with an unpleasant taste or toxic effect. Such warning coloration is aposematic because it increases recognition rather than reducing detection. Cryptic coloration would blend with the background, mimicry would require resemblance to another model, and an intimidation display is usually a sudden behavior that exaggerates threat. The stable
Ref: Evolutionary Analysis, Herron & Freeman, 5th Ed., Ch. 10
