Forum Topic

Ladybirds

Walking up Askew Road, there are lots and lots of ladybirds flying around or on sunny walls.Any significance? Is this part of the ladybirds life cycle?

Andrew Jones ● 38d9 Comments

They are good for the garden, you can buy native adult ladybirds online to release in your garden, although have never done so myself.

Janice Evans ● 33d

Thank you for that Charlotte I wasn't at all aware of the threat posed by harlequin ladybirds. Fortunately having looked at the images of the harlequin, all of those, and there are many, on my rose bushes are of our native variety.

N V Brooks ● 34d

I've noticed lots of harlequins (Harmonia axyridis) but not native species. In the US they are known as the Halloween beetle because they seek over-wintering shelter indoors in October.Unfortunately, they not only eat aphids but eggs, larvae and caterpillars of native ladybirds, moths and butterflies. They have out-competed native ladybirds species in much the same way as grey squirrels have out-competed our native red squirrel, but they have spread much faster than grey squirrels did.They can also infest homes in very large numbers and their excretions can stain furnishings. They are also capable of biting humans and some people can have an allergic reaction to them.

Charlotte Kasner ● 34d

Thanks for all the replies.

Andrew Jones ● 35d

As the weather turns they look to hibernate so this will probably be the reason we are seeing so many hunting for a safe spot to go.

Jayne Thorburn ● 35d

They are great for roses as they feast on the aphids that blight the blooms.

N V Brooks ● 35d

I have seen many in Grove Park lately ! They are good for roses apparently ?

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 35d

We had dozens in our windows today, gotta love those little aphis munchers

N V Brooks ● 38d

They are looking for places to hibernate, we get thousands on the inside of the windows no idea how they squeeze in. Love them then they wake up in spring.

Jayne Thorburn ● 38d