Harlequin Ladybirds

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

I've never seen the word 'pronatum' until now but it does sem to be a synonym. I've always used 'pronotum' and have only seen that in the books/keys that I read. Also, of course, 'prothorax' is sometimes used although that refers to the whole forebody section whereas 'pronotum' strictly refers only to the dorsal surface of the forebody.

I've been looking around and the pronatum terminology seems to be mainly USAmerican and/or confined to orthopterans and some other insects which habe more than one plate (shield) on their forebody: the whole kebab is called the notal or pronotal shield but the first one is the pronatal plate .... clear? Neither am I!

I thought the yanks might have something to do with it!?

[naturegirl]

I found a Harlequin recently and another last year in Canterbury. The Canterbury one tried to bite the key that I moved it with! RIP! I didn't realise that they were so aggresive! As one who is anaphylactic to venom of any kind I shall avoid them like the plague!!! Why couldn't I be interested in embroidery stitches instead of insects/arachnids/snakes and all other wildlife?
Naturegirl

[mrs fish]

To-days beast



I assume it is a Harlequin.

[nutmeg]

Yes, it's a Harlequin, mrs fish

At least they eat each other!

[mrs fish]

Cannibals !!

It is not all bad around here as I have seen quite a few 7-spots and a 2-spot landed on my neck yesterday

[Paul mabbott]

From London to Newcastle there are plenty of larvae and pupae of several species - especially 2-spots. There are also lots of eggs about on tree trunks which I suspect are mainly H. axyridis. In London the second generation of 'harlequins' is active - they have few or no spots.

One of the reasons for the small number of ladybirds and hoverflies may be the absence of aphids on some trees. In the north aphid populations are just starting to grow on sycamore and other maples but none on limes whereas in London there are moderate numbers on limes but none on the maples. This may relate to the weather or be because the ladybirds ate them all earlier in the year - or last year?

[badgerwatcher]

I'm noticing high numbers of hover flies this year. Hardly seeing any ladybirds of any kind.

[Paul mabbott]

Been out counting ladybirds today - didn't see many but a couple of Harmonia axyridis.
This one is fairly lightly marked and very keen to get away - allowing us to see the distinctive keel across the back of the elytra:



This melanic one has become resident on an Inula sp in my garden. Ladybirds will eat nectar or even pollen but this seems most interetsed in the developing seeds:

[mrs fish]

This little one ( I guess it is a Harlequin )



has been living in and around some canes with the sweet peas, it has been there over a week and I think it must be living off baby earwigs ?

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

This little one ( I guess it is a Harlequin )



has been living in and around some canes with the sweet peas, it has been there over a week and I think it must be living off baby earwigs ?

Could be, they'll eat most anything.
On the other hand, most ladybirds become dormant in summer (aestivation) so perhaps it's not eating anything?