Thanks. The coloration is different from others I've seen.

H. axyridis is black at egg hatch, and becomes more orange in each larval instar. The second instar has orange on the first abdominal segment only, but the orange color of the third instar may show through when the larva is close to molting:


The third instar has orange dorsolateral tubercules ("spikes") on the first through fourth abdominal segments, and orange central tubercules on the first (and usually fourth) segments:


The fourth instar is the familiar one with the most orange. It has orange dorsolateral tubercules on the first through fifth abdominal segments, and orange central tubercules on the first, fourth, and fifth segments:


The most reliable way to identify H. axyridis larvae is the double-branched tips of the abdominal tubercules, which are present in every larval instar. They are visible under magnification within 24 hours of egg hatch - a close-up photograph usually provides sufficient magnification.

I'm currently raising several of these lady beetle larva. The early instar doesn't have much color other than black and gray with only a little orange. The larva shows more orange coloration as it grows. After it molts (I don't know how many molts they go through -- I've just seen one so far) the larva has many more orange spikes. I'm hoping the larva I have the most photos for will soon pupate -- my aphid supply is starting to run low.

I don't think there's any other with the spikes, though.