Micro Ladybird help

Jason Claxton · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 06:39 PM

Ive seen around five species of these,but do not have that much information on them,Can anybody suggest any links or resources for micro ladybirds.Thanks Jason

ChrisR · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 07:11 PM

You can download a ladybird identification sheet from this website - is that what you are after?

Jason Claxton · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 07:33 PM

Evening Chris,the PDFs for Ladybirds are very useful thanks,didn't see micro LB's such as Nephus,Scymnus,Rhyzobius etc,are they on that site,maybe I am missing them?shall I look again.Jason

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 07:49 PM

This site gives a few extra but not all..

Stippen...

This site is excellent for most beetles, but still doesn't have them all. You will find more in Coccinellidae though.

kerbtier.de - Käferfauna Deutschland

Another which should be better than any..

Coccinellidae

Janet

ChrisR · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Claxton

Evening Chris,the PDFs for Ladybirds are very useful thanks,didn't see micro LB's such as Nephus,Scymnus,Rhyzobius etc,are they on that site,maybe I am missing them?shall I look again.Jason

Ahh, I misunderstood ... I wouldn't make a very good coleopterist!

I'm sure Janet will have found the best out there

Jason Claxton · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 07:59 PM

Many Thanks Janet,all look like very good sites

Ive been collating from lots of sites for info on these.Those you have given me here are rich on info.Jason

Cheers

Jason Claxton · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 08:03 PM

No probs Chris ,the PDF on Ladybird larvae there will come in handy.

Paul mabbott · #8 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009, 08:20 AM

I think we're talking about the 'atypical ladybirds' or the 'non-ladybird Coccinellidae' as some authorities call them. I've not heard the term 'microladybird' before. A couple of points:

Determination of these species would largely be done microscopically from written keys rather than by comparison with photos, however good. Many of the species are defined by minute but very variable features. In many cases ecologial clues are of primary importance.

The European sites/keys need treating with care since there are many more species on continental Europe than in UK. (Although the possibility of finding them in UK should not be ignored!).

Having said that, some of the species mentioned are quite easy (Platynaspis luteorubra) for instance. Roger Hawkins' Ladybirds of Surrey is a good starting point for identification of the British 'non-ladybird coccinellids'.

Jason Claxton · #9 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009, 08:32 AM

Thanks Paul,yes the term micro ladybird has been used on a few other threads on WAB,I've just noticed.I would definitely like to use a key,do you know of a good one?Ive got the Ladybirds of Surrey,and I agree that is useful.Pictures of these help to narrow down an Id though.Jason

Paul mabbott · #10 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009, 09:02 AM

I'm not sure that there is a single key

I think the appropriate volume of Die Käfer Mitteleuropas is out of date. I think that's where you'd start from and then check on recent papers - there was a comprehensive paper on the Scymnini (in German) a few years back but I've forgotten the reference

My inclination would be to get a rough idea then consult an expert: it's what I always do!