Harlequin Ladybirds

[colinaj]

Does anyone else suffer the Harlequin Ladybirds in thier area. In North Suffolk harlequin ladybirds are appearing earlier this year on Lime trees (July ) last year they appeared in September.
There were 100's in the area. It might be anidea to map these this year to see how bad the situation is.
CAJ

[Andy Warne]

Haven't seen any harlequin ladybirds here in Leicester but there is some sort of survey, don't know anything about it just heard of it on the TV

Harlequin Ladybird Survey - home

Andy

[colinaj]

Yup this is the web site I have sent in many records already lets hope more Forum members send em in for a real universal study in the UK

[Tiggrx]

We have lots of harlequin ladybirds around us! I saw one yesterday in fact.

[Paul mabbott]

If you want maps look at http://www.harlequin-survey.org/
or http://www.ladybird-survey.pwp.bluey...H_axyridis.htm (will be up-dated this week!).
Yes, they have recently been seen in Leicestershire, Rutland, Northants, Notts and South Lincs. Most of these findings have been singletons, especially at light traps.
This suggests, as we saw in the SE last year, that small numbers are flying around in July/August but will then reproduce like anything to produce masses in September-October.
I hope everyone will keep records and report them ....

Originally Posted by colinaj

Does anyone else suffer the Harlequin Ladybirds in thier area. In North Suffolk they are appearing earlier this year on Lime trees (July ) last year they appeared in September.
There were 100's in the area. It might be anidea to map these this year to see how bad the situation is.
CAJ

[Paul mabbott]

Thre is a national survey (as your quote) and various local surveys including one in Leicestershire. Several of the local surveys are listed on http://www.ladybird-survey.pwp.bluey...o.uk/NoELS.htm (North of England Ladybird Survey - I wanted to call it North of Britain Ladybirds Survey but they told me the abbreviation was unnacceptable!).
Please report all your observations to the UK survey or to one of the local surveys - they are all collated eventually - some people find some forms easier than others.

Originally Posted by Andy Warne

Haven't seen any here in Leicester but there is some sort of survey, don't know anything about it just heard of it on the TV
http://www.harlequin-survey.org/
Andy

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

We have lots around us! I saw one yesterday in fact.

... and I'm sure you're reporting it! Paul

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by colinaj

Yup this is the web site I have sent in many records already lets hope more Forum members send em in for a real universal study in the UK

Well done, already. I should also stress that we want records of native ladybirds - so that we can assess what impact, if any, the 'harlequin' is having on native species. Might also be worth mentioning that it's not only ladybirds which may be at threat - all other aphi-eaters (lacewings, hoverflies, bugs, beetles and spiders) might be threatened by competition while almost all invertebrates might be threatened by predation. Harmonia axyridis is a greedy, fast reproducing species .....

[UB4 gardener]

hi Paul,

Just out of curiosity, what is the recording coverage like on our native ladybirds? to find out the impact surely you need to know what was there originally.

Chris

[jezlee]

I live in north-west Wolverhampton, right on the West Mids / Staffs / Salop borders and have still to see any of these in my garden. I work just inside Shropshire and often visit a couple of local nature reserves and haven't seen any there either .... yet .... watch this space!