cream-streaked ladybird?

[asheleaf]

hi, i think this is a cream-streaked ladybird but I'm not certain. The spot pattern on the pronotum looks right (I think). Not sure if there is anything else with a similiar spot pattern on the elytra - cream spots on top and black at the sides?

thanks in advance, Ashe

Taken today in a park, Surrey.

[aeshna5]

Your ID is correct!

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Your ID is correct!

Yes, the four-spot ladybird (Harmonia quadripunctata), typically without four spots! This is an arboreal species which is supposed to confine itself to conifers but increasingly is found on deciduous trees and even low-growing vegetation ... like yours?

[asheleaf]

thank you both for your help. That it wasnt on a conifer was one of the things that made me doubt the ID. Ladybirds obviously dont read the field guides!

cheers, Ashe

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by asheleaf

thank you both for your help. That it wasnt on a conifer was one of the things that made me doubt the ID. Ladybirds obviously dont read the field guides!
cheers, Ashe

They don't have time I suppose?
It is always a bit iffy to make firm statements about plant associations when you're dealing with predatory species. There are several British ladybirds which are said to be largely confined to adelgids and thus to conifers but members of the Adelgidae are not necessarily restricted to conifers and ladybirds change their tastes and ... so many options! Prey switching is not at all uncommon which is why Exochomus 4-pustulatus, the 'pine ladybird' is so misnamed - it has swapped from scale insects on pine to different scales on ash and then to the ubiquitous Pulvinaria regalis on more or less anything.

[asheleaf]

about predatory species........ came across a group of white bryony plants today. Their were lots of Bryony ladybirds on them and even more larvae. When I got back i IDed the larvae as Harlequins. Am I right in assuming that Harlequins prey on other species larvae & so the Bryony's are going to have a hard time reproducing there?

cheers, Ashe

[Paul mabbott]

Oh yes, indeed. This is one of the big problems with the 'harlequins', they reproduce so effectively and rapidly that the soon finish off their 'proper' diet of aphids and then will eat whatever they encounter.

Not just Epilachna argus that's threatened but Harmonia axyridis but probably all other ladybirds and, indeed, all other insects that can't fly away from them ....

Originally Posted by asheleaf

about predatory species........ came across a group of white bryony plants today. Their were lots of Bryony ladybirds on them and even more larvae. When I got back i IDed the larvae as Harlequins. Am I right in assuming that Harlequins prey on other species larvae & so the Bryony's are going to have a hard time reproducing there?

cheers, Ashe