Odd Two-spotted Ladybird

mrs fish · #1 (**permalink**) 20-06-2008, 10:39 AM

Something doesn't look right about the spots, I wondered if it was a Harlequin ?

nutmeg · #2 (**permalink**) 20-06-2008, 10:47 AM

It's a 2-spot - there is some variation in the shape of the spots. I quite often see this form.

Paul mabbott · #3 (**permalink**) 20-06-2008, 11:18 AM

Yes, this is the 'extended spot', weak annulate form of Adalia bipunctata. The weak annulate forms cna have satellite spots (small spots to either or both sides of the big spot) or they can spread and even join - to form a bar across the elytra. Quite common and of no real significance!

It's a problem with looking too much, makes you start worrying ...

mrs fish · #4 (**permalink**) 20-06-2008, 11:35 AM

This morning wasn't too bad , that 2-spot a 7-spot and only one harlequin larvae

That two spot seemed very small.

Paul mabbott · #5 (**permalink**) 20-06-2008, 05:24 PM

Did my monthly walk around London (

) yesterday. Of the 'adults' (imagines) most that I saw were 2-spots - somewhat different from last year when I thought they had gone extinct! Saw some 10-spots, a solitary 7-spot and ditto pine ladybird ... otherwise just 'harlequins'. Would have expected to see some other species - cream-spots, orange ladybirds &c? Far fewer imagines than a month ago - most, especially the H. axyridis, were larvae/pupae .....

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrs fish

This morning wasn't too bad , that 2-spot a 7-spot and only one harlequin larvae

That two spot seemed very small.

It was probably a male that hadn't been well-fed!

Wild-Woman · #6 (**permalink**) 20-06-2008, 07:56 PM

Just out of interest,it does seem as though the ladybirds have suffered a bit of a crash in numbers this year, at least they have here, I just wondered if they have a natural cycle inwhich there are peaks and troughs, a bit like the Holly Blues?

aeshna5 · #7 (**permalink**) 21-06-2008, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Did my monthly walk around London (

) yesterday. Of the 'adults' (imagines) most that I saw were 2-spots - somewhat different from last year when I thought they had gone extinct! Saw some 10-spots, a solitary 7-spot and ditto pine ladybird ... otherwise just 'harlequins'. Would have expected to see some other species - cream-spots, orange ladybirds &c? Far fewer imagines than a month ago - most, especially the H. axyridis, were larvae/pupae .....

It was probably a male that hadn't been well-fed!

Last week I was away, but before I went off I had a couple of sites around London which were heaving with Harlequins, but on my return very few to be seen, though found a few larvae + adults yesterday.