Hen that's red with black spots? (8)
I believe the answer is:
ladybird
'hen' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
(Other definitions for ladybird that I've seen before include "Small round spotted beetle" , "old children's book" , "spotted crawler" , "Beetle (or the late Mrs LBJ)" , "Garden beetle" .)