Thanks Jason, good idea! Now we can get down to business....
You (and others) may rightly have your views on this, but I prefer evidence. Evidence starts with white patches behind all legs 'in my view', give me evidence that the 7-spot has those as well and I may consider that.
You have posted some pics to show what they
should look like, but as you have already stated there are variations in all creatures.
Here's a pic on the Ladybird-survey which looks much different!
UK Ladybird Survey - Species Description
Now, I have read on a scientific site that C. magnifica is present with the Formica rufa
group.
IngentaConnect Adaptations of Coccinella magnifica Redtenbacher, a Myrmecophilou...
If that is correct, and why it should not be I don't know, then that group includes:
Formica aquilonia
Formica lugubris
Formica pratensis
Formica rufa
as listed on Wikipedia.
Formica rufa group - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As mentioned by Jason (Claxton) on page 31 of the other thread:
So that's another species,
Formica sanguinea.
Now take a look at Formica lugubris.... I have pics of one which looks rather like this, and I should add "if that is correct" in case someone jumps on me.
File:Formica cf lugubris 4.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NOW check on BWARS where these ants
should be. I say should because I think Stuart would tell you that some are old records, and apart from that many are under-recorded. Such as in Lincolnshire!
Look at for example Formica rufa, there's a record near the Humber, another south to the Wash. well, um, I'm midway between those two!
Distribution Maps
As mentioned before, I have many species not mentioned anywhere, including a first for Lincolnshire moth record
Ectoedemia quinquella and the rare in Lincolnshire
Luffia ferchaultella.
Why have I found these when no-one else has been able to? Because I spend hours looking at my wall, my tree, my Ivy, my anything! I also have a lens capable of taking good enough pics of them! How many people do that? Very few! OK hate me if you will, but truth is truth.
There is also the shape of the white patch on the pronotum which is supposed to be more rounded in the Scarce, looking at some of my ordinary 7-spots they do have a more square shape or don't have the upward curve towards the middle but they vary a little. I do think my suspect one has an rounded upward curve, but the angle is not the best to view it.
Google Translate
What I now need to do is to establish exactly which ants I have, but not just now as it's late.
Janet
