Ladybirds

13 comments

We get many different species in the UK but the harlequin is an Asian invader and sadly eats our many native ones.
My youngest has been giving me a crash course in id [oh times have changed pupil now the teacher :o) ]
Harlequins can have a range of spots and colours. the following 3 photos are of harlequins.
The larva has a continuous stripe down each side whilst our natives have broken spots/stripes down their sides.

The pupa has a characteristic set of ‘fluffly’ strands at thebase, they are the remains of spikey strands of shed skin apparently.

They are also larger than many of our natives 5-8 mm in length. The one on the left is the harlequin and it has yellowy brown legs and feet. The one on the right is our smaller native one and has black legs and feet. Harlequins also have a large white w/m marking on its face, the native doesn’t. Just as I pressed the shutter it turned its face away. Typical!

Our native 7 spot. Also 5-8mm in size.

When the Ladybird emerges from its pupae its wing cases are yellow and the colour develops over several hours. This is a native 7 spot.

25 Jul, 2019
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Comments

Cottagekaren

Interesting. Im happy to see any ladybirds, but what a pity...yet another destructive invader.

25 Jul, 2019

Siris

Excellent blog, so informative.

25 Jul, 2019

Seaburngirl

As part of their farewell gift the staff at the nature reserve bought her the definitive guide for Ladybirds of Great Britain and Ireland. She has learnt so much while she has been in Wales. I am so greatful for all they have done for her.

So I have been having a read. There are these ones that belong to the conspicuous group and then there are a whole range of small ones called the inconspicuous group.

25 Jul, 2019

Amsterdam

Thank you so much for that blog. I have come across them in the garden and was wondering the other day how I could tell the native apart from the invaders, now I know! Like I said before - every day is a school day! Lol 🐞

25 Jul, 2019

Steragram

Very interesting - thank you! Now will be looking out for the miniature sherbet lemons!

25 Jul, 2019

Darren8

So... To dispatch or not?

25 Jul, 2019

Seaburngirl

I dispatch - as they are voracious predators and an alien species.

25 Jul, 2019

Derekm

Thanks for the info Eileen, good to know, Derek

25 Jul, 2019

Sheilabub

Well done Eileen . . . terrific photos, and useful info for all of us :)

26 Jul, 2019

Grandad_gar..

I think the Harlequin is a product of unintended consequences. Originally introduced as Eco friendly biological control in commercial green houses, but escaped into wild, who would've guessed it would fly away?[joke]

26 Jul, 2019

Shirley_tulip

Thanks so much for this information Sbg ... on my Favourites for future reference now. I am pretty sure I 'rescued' some of the larvae, thinking I was doing the right thing, it seems I was wrong!

27 Jul, 2019

Dottydaisy2

Granddad you could well be right!! how often has this happened? Interesting blog Seaburn.......

28 Jul, 2019

Seaburngirl

on the front of the august garden answers magazine they have a photo of a harlequin ladybird [it has browny/yellow legs] don't know if they have made any diagnostic comments inside the mag.

28 Jul, 2019

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