Harlequin Ladybird?

looks like one, not sure as i havent come across one myself potty

They have lots of different markings, see ~
http://www.harlequin-survey.org/recognition_and_distinction.htm
I have emailed them photos to verify...

Apparently they have a W mark on their heads but I can`t see it that clearly. It doesn`t look like one of our native ones though.

It does look like it though

How big? 5mm+ suggests a harlequinn. Many do have a M/W but there are some that dont just to be different.
They are pretty though and do eat greenfly, so although they are being nasty to our natives they still do a good job in the garden.

I've previously looked at the website but find it very hard to tell the difference.

I've never seen one. I haven't seen any type of ladybird for many years.

Thanks everyone ~ it was 8mm long and the markings almost identical to one on the chart I looked at. Gee ~ the white spots behind the head were a give away,as well as it's large size. :o(

Looks like one...We had the larvae and the harlequins in our garden last year,but so far this year have only seen the native ones !

So far only seen this one, but I guess where there is one there could be more? What are we supposed to do about them? I hate the idea of killing anything, but if they eat our native ones.....?

Well PG as not a member of BNP I cannot offer any advice on squishing immigrants ...on a serious note agree with SBG as they are arriving in their millions will prove impossible to eradicate without affecting our own and at least they eat greenfly.

Our own native species has many different varieties and apparently they turn on our smaller varieties when food is scarce so guess the answer would be to stop spraying roses etc to eradicate greenfly as harlequins will eat our natives instead.

I did let him go after taking the photos, what you say makes sense BB. Thanks! :o))

: o)

Wow 8mm is going some. I think trying to get rid of aliens is a lost cause. I distinctly remember that mallard ducks used to be cute sized before they interbred with something huge. Shame though - these interconnected webs are so lovely.

I have had this confirmed by the Harlequin Ladybird survey that this is indeed one. Yes Sarah, I had to measure it twice to be sure....he really was a big guy!