Harlequin Ladybirds

[pressld2]

I think a fair number will have made it through as they have a habit of coming indoors to hibernate. I saw one in my garden acouple of days ago.

Dave P.

[aeshna5]

I've seen a number of Harlequins at a number of sites around London over the last couple of weeks, as well as a few 7-spots.

[Paul mabbott]

This week I've had one under the lid of our sunflower seed feeder. It wasn't there last week so must have emerged on a sunny day (yes, we had one!) and then thought better of it .....

[Cosmeston Dave]

None seen at Cosmeston, south east Wales.
And I've been looking ...

[Misanthrope]

The first harlequin appeared indoors three weeks ago and was promptly ejected. Some began congregating in corners indoors a few days ago.
The weather was warmer yesterday and moderate numbers of harlequins were in flight. I saw at least 40 crawling on the porch and adjoining wall. Last night I found assemblies of 20-30 in the corners of some of the window frames so it appears they have started overwintering here. I think they are a couple of weeks earlier than last year, when in turn they were earlier than the year before. It's probably more a reflection of the lower temperatures and poor weather we've been having than any foreknowledge of a bad winter to come. I hope!

[RobS]

I have seen, I would imagine, more than 100 of these flying around today, I suspect the number is more likely in the thousands. I am in Southampton and it is very warm (beautiful actually) and I have never seen so many ladybirds.

[RobinP]

Had a mini-invasion here too, about 20 in the house and about five times that on the outside South-facing wall, have closed all the windows

[pressld2]

We saw lots of ladybirds on the Clumber fungi foray this weekend but almost all were seven spot. Only one or two harlequins among them.

Dave P.

[~T~]

Saw my first harlequins at the weekend when I was down visiting my bro in London (Highgate). They were mostly the black with 4 red spot form and the orange multi spotted form. I saw maybe a couple of dozen on walls and fences and they were particularly noticeable along the metal rail fence leading to Highgate underground. Thankfully I've not seen any yet in Scotland (though I hear the odd sighting has been confirmed). I made sure to check I didn't have any unwanted hitchhikers before returning back to Glasgow. On a happier note I saw quite a few 7 spots and 2 spots out and about this year unlike last year where I don't think I saw any. Could a adult harlequin kill an adult 7 spot?

[Paul mabbott]

Those of you lucky enough to have sycamore trees nearby should have a good look at the trunks and leaves. Despite the cold today there were dozens of ladybirds about today: mostly H. axyridis but also some pines and, more excitingly, orange ladybirds, Halyzia sedecimiguttata - well worth bearing these in mind on beech and ash trees where aggregations might be expected at this time of year.