Ladybird IDs

[Lord V]

Not sure if these are variable 10-spots or slightly small harlequin ladybirds. Both around 6mm although #1 was slightly smaller.

brian v.

[mickmassie]

I see the problem, but I'll go for Harlequin for both, based mainly on the pronotum patterning (white cheeks) and size (6mm is big for a 10 spot).

Smaller Harlequins seem to be more often seen these days, although many are still large round my way.

M.

[Paul mabbott]

The melanic one is a 10-spot, Adalia decempunctata f. decempustulata - doesn't have the large white pronotal patches of H. axyridis (the apparent pale grey area is, I think, an artefact) and the latter doesn't have an elytral pattern like this. The other is H. axyridis.
Yes small 'harlequins' are quite common especially in large populations suffering malnutrition! 6mms is common for males.

[Lord V]

Thanks for the comments and Poss ID's
Paul the grey area seemed to be semi transparent white- you can see it more clearly on this shot.

Brian V.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Lord V

Thanks for the comments and Poss ID's
Paul the grey area seemed to be semi transparent white- you can see it more clearly on this shot.

Brian V.

Fair enough - but it's still the chequered form of the 10-spot!
The red patches in lunate shapes, touching the outer edge of the elytra are typical: e.g.
Foto ©UniWeb®

[poschiavanus]

From what I recall melanic Harlequins usually still show brown legs, whereas this specimens legs are clearly black.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

From what I recall melanic Harlequins usually still show brown legs, whereas this specimens legs are clearly black.

Yes, that's correct. These legs are still brownish in parts which, again, is an indication of A10p

[nutmeg]

I agree with Paul's IDs - the first image being a 10-spot; the second a Harlequin.

[Lord V]

Thanks again for the confirmation. That is actually how I originally guessed the IDs but the size similarity made me unsure.
Brian v.