Harlequin Ladybirds

[Paul mabbott]

We've not had much correspondence on this topic recently (people getting bored?) but I have yet to see a living Harmonia axyridis this year. Haven't seen that many ladybirds at all .... mostly larvae at present so I suspect that their life cycle is just delayed after the cold winter.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

We've not had much correspondence on this topic recently (people getting bored?) but I have yet to see a living Harmonia axyridis this year. Haven't seen that many ladybirds at all .... mostly larvae at present so I suspect that their life cycle is just delayed after the cold winter.

Seeing quite a few in outer London over the last couple of weeks or so, but not huge numbers. Saw quite a few 7-spots on Saturday; also 5 Bryony, 14-spot + a 22-spot locally.

[mickmassie]

We saw huge numbers of Harlequin adult and larvae (and large numbers 7-spots too) around Hampton Court yesterday. M.

[Lesinlondon]

In my small eco park in SE London, 98% of ladybird seen, at all stages, are harlequin. Today so many Larvae about inc several adults emerging.

[Paul mabbott]

I've never come up with a good explanation of why 'harlequins' are such late starters in the year - especially when there are so many of them around in late autumn/early winter. Do most of them die or do they just like to stay under cover until summer?

[Paul mabbott]

Latest speculation:
BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Ladybird 'risk to 1,000 species'

[crazylilthing]

Originally Posted by honeybee

Apparently they bite and cause a nasty reaction in some people, was on radio 4 today prog, can listen again on net, i missed it.

Interesting, but comments like that aired on a BBC programme, even if made in good faith, could cause a completely hysterical reaction from gardeners. I'm highly sceptical, even as someone who suffers extreme hystamine reactions to most bites and stings.

There are thousands of them (literally) in our tiny garden alone and I am constantly handling them when they've cleaned up the blackfly on one plant to move them to another. They're not scary.

Please can you post a link as I'd like to hear exactly what was said and in what context. Thank you.

Here's a link on the origins.

I love the bit about them arriving by Eurostar with fresh flowers!

http://www.harlequin-survey.org/factfile/origins.htm

For those that don't have time to follow the link, it says that they were introduced deliberately as biological control agents in much of Europe but arrived in the UK accidentally by a number of routes in 2004.

[James M]

I'm worrying that the more publicity they get the more native "casualties" there will be

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by crazylilthing

Interesting, but comments like that aired on a BBC programme, even if made in good faith, could cause a completely hysterical reaction from gardeners. I'm highly sceptical, ........

Yes, there have been very few cases and this is not uncommon behaviour for any ladybird. In the years when we've had 'plagues' of 7-spots they also bit people ....

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

I've never come up with a good explanation of why 'harlequins' are such late starters in the year - especially when there are so many of them around in late autumn/early winter. Do most of them die or do they just like to stay under cover until summer?

I find that strange too, as I had about 30 of them come inside for the winter. They can get through the epdm sealing of double glazing, I saw them congregate on my south facing door in the autumn before coming in. Most came in the south facing window at the stairs landing, a few in the east facing window but those seemed to stay within the window grooves although an occasional one got through. They overwintered above the window with a few going higher.

This spring when it started to warm I helped them out as they gradually made their way to the window, a few were dead within the window grooves. Since then I have not seen one adult but have seen others! Only saw one larva recently.

As they seem to like a warm spot for winter, I'm wondering if the cold we get in spring after they go outside kills most of them?