I saw a ladybird about two years ago but that's the only one I've seen for many years. They used to be very common ...

Wow, really! I had loads over the last couple of years, many of them making the 'beast with two backs'. So I'd expected the offspring to give me a natural balance this year but I haven't seen any at all. & the aphids are having a field day!

Strange isn't it. We used to have lots here and I can't understand why they are so common in some other areas.

No, they are a rarity here too. We have seen one this year!

I like down south in Kent and very much the same. Have seen probably only about four or five this year. Very few lacewings but plenty of hovver flies.

I haven't seen any - hadn't noticed before you asked. But no greenfly either...

no - we have many here as we have many aphids. I have at least 20 pupae on my shed door in the grooves of the wood. More than ever this year. same with lacewings too.

Not seen many here in the SW either. Must be a few though because I've seen two caught up in spiders' webs in the past two weeks.

Like Stera I hadn't thought about them till the question was asked & I haven't seen any at all this year, no aphids either. Odd.

We got very excited because twice this summer we have seen one ladybird which is two more than we have seen for some years

Loads of ladybirds here in Norwich, and very few aphids this year.
Unfortunately the ladybirds like to hibernate in the corners of my draughty Georgian windows. In the Spring they emerge into the bedroom and die through lack of food. I've hoovered up over 100 at a time!

I'll have to have a good look for anything that predates them, I haven't used insecticide in years. It's just odd that usually I get plenty but this year hardly any.