Harlequin Ladybirds

[bugbotherer]

Not seen any around S Chesh, but SIG have had reports of them on the Derbys/Staffs border around Burton/Uttoxeter.
bugbotherer

[henrya]

Quote
Just out of curiosity, what is the recording coverage like on our native ladybirds?
Endquote

Not too bad. People have been collecting records for many years and there is a reasonable knowledge of native ladybird distribution. But more information is always useful, whcih is why people are being asked to record all ladybirds, not just Harlequins, and why a few of us are doing regular 'ladybird walks' to gain some detailed local information.

henrya

[Paul mabbott]

Indeed, th erecords are quite good but somewhat patchy, as always ...
Good records go back to the '60s. However, old records don't tell everything: There have been several 'new' species over the last few years (probably not really new, just recently uncovered) while some species (pine and orange ladybirds especially) have become much more numerous than they used to be.
So, we always need more records - continuously, not just one-offs!

Originally Posted by henrya

Not too bad. People have been collecting records for many years and there is a reasonable knowledge of native ladybird distribution. But more information is always useful, whcih is why people are being asked to record all ladybirds, not just Harlequins, and why a few of us are doing regular 'ladybird walks' to gain some detailed local information.
henrya

[Paul mabbott]

The situation as of last week was that it has now been found twice in Staffs, once each in Leics, Notts, Rutland and S. Lincs, thrice in Northants. (As well as the large earlier colony in Derby although, as yet, few have been seen there this year). *Most* of these observations were of singletons at moth traps. This seems to resemble the situation in the SE last year when one or two were seen during July-August spreading out from their heartlands with hundreds-millions being seen during September-October. So be warned!
Paul

Originally Posted by bugbotherer

Not seen any around S Chesh, but SIG have had reports of them on the Derbys/Staffs border around Burton/Uttoxeter.
bugbotherer

[nightshade]

I have just seen my first ever Orange (white spots) Ladybird,I thought at first it was
a Harlequin!

[Paul mabbott]

That's a common (panic?) reaction despite all the literature stating that 'harlequins' *never* have white/cream spots! Orange ladybirds have been the most wrongly identified (as haxy) species sent in to the harlequin survey! At least you recognised your mistake. Actually, these observations have quite improved the recording of orange ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata) in UK ....
On the other hand, some people identify cream-spot ladybirds (Calvia quattuordecimguttata - 14-spotted) as oranges (16 spots) ......

Originally Posted by nightshade

I have just seen my first ever Orange (white spots) Ladybird,I thought at first it was
a Harlequin!

[Paul mabbott]

Adult haxy is pretty distinctive but its larvae and pupae are very much like those of the cream-streaked ladybird and, indeed, the eyed ladybird. I found larvae on a Pinus mugo in my garden and was a bit worried that I'd accidentally imported some haxy! However, I reared them on and they turned out to be Harmonia quadripunctata, the cream-streaked ladybird. I've done a web-page showing the differences, in case it's of interest ...
http://www.ladybird-survey.pwp.bluey...m-streaked.htm

[Paul mabbott]

The haxy front seems to have gone a bit quiet lately - could the wet weather have taken its toll? I loke to be optimistic!

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

The haxy front seems to have gone a bit quiet lately - could the wet weather have taken its toll? I like to be optimistic!

Within two hours of writing that I received 'phone call and two mails about sudden haxy activity - coming indoors (one of the American names for the beast is the 'Hallowe'en Ladybird' because it seeks shelter in houses in the autumn) and being seen in open green spaces. There was a line of thought that this might be a peculiarly urban species and not have much impact on natural spaces; however, London reports this year have included ones from large, suburban green spaces .... so watch out

[UB4 gardener]

have been offline for a while but i had 2 to the moth lamp last Tuesday,

Chris