Harlequin Ladybirds

aeshna5 · #**461** (**permalink**) 04-10-2011, 06:20 PM

Have only come across the occasional individual over recent weeks. The only ladybird I've seen while out (no sweeping or beating) over the last few days has been a 7-spot.

JRsbugs · #**462** (**permalink**) 04-10-2011, 06:29 PM

Haven't seen a single Harlequin yet, plenty of 7-spots and a 2-spot.

aeshna5 · #**463** (**permalink**) 04-10-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeybee

where did the halequin originate from in the first place? 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.

They come from central Asia originally.

I've handled many + have yet to feel a nip- bit of hype I think here!

loripo · #**464** (**permalink**) 04-10-2011, 06:43 PM

WE still have quite a few around, not in the nearby park, but in the small areas of municipal planting (warmer?)
But they seem to be quite small, like this one - smaller than the 7-spot.

JRsbugs · #**465** (**permalink**) 04-10-2011, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I've handled many + have yet to feel a nip- bit of hype I think here!

I haven't been nipped by a Harlequin, but have been bitten twice recently by 7-spots! I brushed them off of course with no reaction that I noticed.

aeshna5 · #**466** (**permalink**) 04-10-2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

I haven't been nipped by a Harlequin, but have been bitten twice recently by 7-spots! I brushed them off of course with no reaction that I noticed.

I remember in the press during the hot summer of 1976 that people laying on the beach complained about being bitten by the invading 7-spots.

aeshna5 · #**467** (**permalink**) 06-10-2011, 04:46 PM

Earlier today I noticed a single Harlequin walking high up on the wall of our spare room + thought it may have come into hibernate as I know they habitually do this. I went back an hour or so later to see it had been nobbled by a medium sized Pholcus phalangoides spider.

I went out for a couple of hours or so + on my return the spider was still on top of the dead ladybird.

I've noticed in my house you don't mess with a Pholcus!

Meta menardi · #**468** (**permalink**) 06-10-2011, 04:53 PM

I am delighted to say that, despite seeing msny Harlequins last year, I can't find any at the moment, but 7 spots are doing very well.

Dogghound · #**469** (**permalink**) 06-10-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

I am delighted to say that, despite seeing msny Harlequins last year, I can't find any at the moment, but 7 spots are doing very well.

Exactly the same on the coast. I knew of several colonies last year and all have vanished. Infact I have only seen one larvae this year and that was in East Yorkshire.

~T~ · #**470** (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 10:25 PM

Seen loads of harlequins in North London at the weekend. Loads flying about Regents Park (esp in the Zoo) but strangely I saw most on the railings of Highgate underground, there must have been several hundred at least and quite a few on the bus shelter and quite a few larvae too. They did seem small though, defo smaller than 7 spots and there were quite a few different morphs (orange with black spots, red with black spots, black with 2 red spots and a few orange with no spots). I checked my bags thoroughly, didn't want any hitch-hikers spreading to Glasgow.

Here is the exact location

highgate station - Google Maps