Cream streaked Ladybird

[Ms Punctata]

I am doing my third year project for my BSc degree about the the genetic similarities/ differences of the cream streaked and harlequin ladybirds both Harmonia. I have searched high and low through Surrey/ Berkshire and still have not found one. Has any one found any?

[goosey]

Hello, this may be a bit obvious, but have you tried our Gallery? here is a link for ladybirds.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...searchid=64402

welcome .

[Ms Punctata]

Many thanks ..... I will search through them and see if there are any local to myself that I can go and study.

[goosey]

Sorry about my last answer, I mis-read it and thought you were after photo's. I don't know where you will find the ladybirds you are after but I am sure there are people here who can help - Paul Mabbott for one, you probably know of his work if you have been researching. Here is his website for now until he comes along. Good luck!

Paul Mabbott Wildlife: Ladybirds, ground beetles and other wildlife in woods, fields and gardens London and Essex

[Paul mabbott]

A good proportion of our ladybirds are found mainly on trees rather than low-growing plants so are not seen as often as the 2-spot, 7-spot &c.. Some of these are actually confined to conifers where they eat adelgids ('woolly aphids') - unless you shake the branches or climb up these trees they are seldom seen - unless some are blown off by the wind. The cream-streaked is one of these although it is more commonly seen away from conifers than, for instance, the striped or 18-spot ladybirds.

My advice therefore is to find a conifer, preferably pine, plantation and shake the trees (or just a branch or two) over a large cloth (or a beating tray if you have access). The pines don't need to be Pinus sylvestris - the dwarf Mediterranean pine, Pinus mugo, commonly planted in gardens and parks, has the same adelgids and therefore attracts the same ladybirds.