ladybird lifecycle

[asheleaf]

hi,

is this ladybird lava? I trying to find out about the ladybrd lifecycle and I think i know what this is. It looks similiar, but not the same, as some pics of ladybird lava I've come across. I came across a number of them on various shrubs in the garden the other day. Hope someone can enlighten me.

Thanks, Ashe

[Dan Salter]

woah...no idea but i cant wait to find out?

[Tiggrx]

I've never seen a ladybird larva/pupa with branched hairs like that. I would guess it is some sort of leaf beetle

[Paul mabbott]

It's a pupa not a larvae. It looks like some ladybird pupae *but* I don't recognise it - the crown of spikes makes it one of the less common species *IF* it's a ladybird. Can you give us some idea of the size, as a starter? And what plant is it on, and whereabouts are you?

Originally Posted by asheleaf

hi, can anyone tell me what this is. It looks similiar, but not the same, as some pics of ladybird lava I've come across. I came across a number of them on various shrubs in the garden the other day. Hope someone can enlighten me.

[Paul mabbott]

Sorry, you're in Surrey - where there are almost every possible ladybird! And I meant larva not larvae. Would still like to know size and environment.
Cheers, Paul

[Deer Stalker]

Could it be some kind of Moth pupae from one of those hairy/spiky caterpillars?

[asheleaf]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Sorry, you're in Surrey - where there are almost every possible ladybird! And I meant larva not larvae. Would still like to know size and environment.
Cheers, Paul

thanks everyone for your help so far.

Further info as requested. I just went out and measured one and its 7mm. I found them on the leaves of privet and the shrub pictured. There is also one attached to the cement in the wall beside the shrubs. I dont really know what the other shrub is I'm afraid, not a native though. The shrub border is south facing. The soil is clay and builders rubble!

If I missed anything please ask.

Thanks, Ashe

[Paul mabbott]

Thanks, Ashe.
That's quite a big one! Still looks like a beetle but I can't think what, although (as I [too] often say), it rings a bell. Perhaps in the morning ... there is football on TV and I've had a busy day - which is just my excuse for saying that I don't know! Any signs of the shrub leaves being eaten?
Manyana, Paul

Originally Posted by asheleaf

Further info as requested. I just went out and measured one and its 7mm. I found them on the leaves of privet and the shrub pictured. There is also one attached to the cement in the wall beside the shrubs. I dont really know what the other shrub is I'm afraid, not a native though. The shrub border is south facing. The soil is clay and builders rubble! If I missed anything please ask.
Thanks, Ashe

[UB4 gardener]

i'd guess at a ladybird, possibly our friend the harlequin.

chris

edit: oops ... if PM thinks its a beetle i'm gonna retract my ladybird

[asheleaf]

Originally Posted by UB4 gardener

i'd guess at a ladybird, possibly our friend the harlequin.

chris

I checked out the Harlequin. Found a pupa pic via google. It has a few similiar spines but otherwise is very different. I have certainly seen them in the garden though.

http://www.harlequin-survey.org/imag...nia_pupa_2.jpg

I've bought one of them indoors and shall be keeping a keen eye on it.

The hosts plants dont seem to be eaten. Found two more attached to cement in the wall. Strange location!

thanks everyone, Ashe