ladybird

KEITHY · #1 (**permalink**) 19-12-2009, 06:56 AM

i was out in freezing conditions last night. when arriving home my wife noticed a black mark on my neck. upon removal it turned out to be a black ladybird. still alive this morning (the ladybird) but i've never seen a black one before and certainly not in december, any answers out there for me. thanks

Paul mabbott · #2 (**permalink**) 19-12-2009, 08:31 AM

Many ladybirds have predominantly black (melanic) forms especially the common native 2-spot (Adalia bipunctata) and the invasive 'harlequin' (Harmonia axyridis). Some species are always predominantly black - the most common being the pine (Exochomus quadripustulatus) and the kidney-spot (Chilocorus renipustulatus). The pine in particular may be active in sunshine throughout the winter but I doubt that any of them would be active overnight in cold conditions. I susggest that you knocked one off a tree or wherever else they were sheltering?
Will need a picture if you want better identification - there are plenty of pictures in our Gallery and elsewhere on the web.

KEITHY · #3 (**permalink**) 21-12-2009, 08:17 PM

Thank you for your very helpful answer paul. The ladybird is at the moment in a container in my bedroom. i have put various leaves in with it and sprinkled water in ocassionally but i think it may have gone into hibernation. would this be the case and what shall i do with him/her. I consider all life sacred and want to give it the best chance but i may be doing some injustice to it. any advice will be helpful with thanks keithy

Paul mabbott · #4 (**permalink**) 22-12-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEITHY

Thank you for your very helpful answer paul. The ladybird is at the moment in a container in my bedroom. i have put various leaves in with it and sprinkled water in ocassionally but i think it may have gone into hibernation. would this be the case and what shall i do with him/her. I consider all life sacred and want to give it the best chance but i may be doing some injustice to it. any advice will be helpful with thanks keithy

Many ladybirds which come into houses die - it is too warm for them, they wake up at the wrong time of year with nothing to eat or drink. I see your aim in moistening the container but it's quite possible that will encourage mould which will kill the ladybird

They need somewhere cool but sheltered and dry: under litter in a dense hedgerow, a shelf in a garage or garden shed, a loft? Somewhere that they won't be woken by warmth until the spring but from which they can escape easily ... good luck.