Two 10-spot ladybirds ?

Lord V · #1 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 08:02 AM

Fairly certain the first shot is a classic colour 10-spot ladybird but the second one was a new colour scheme on me- still a variable 10-spot ladybird?
They were shot at different mags- both around 5 to 6mm body length.

Brian v.

Lord V · #2 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 08:12 AM

Whoops done it again - memory is obviously going - a similar shot of mine here A melanic 10 spot ladybird variant #1 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Brian v.

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 09:44 AM

Morning Brian,

I'm pretty certain the first is a Harlequin.

Take care,

Jason

Jason Claxton · #4 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 10:51 AM

The first looks like a typical 10-spot to me and the other looks like a melanic variety,lots of variation with this species,to prevent confusion with 2 spot varieties,the Ladybirds of Surrey by R.D Hawkins mentions that a narrow white triangle is always present outside the base of the middle legs,but is generally obscured when the insect is at rest.
Look at the underside, for sure.Maybe it should have a different name along the lines of harlequin / variable .

Cheers Jason

Lord V · #5 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the comments

Jason G - #1 was far too small for a harlequin - pretty certain it's a 10 spot in the proper colours.

Thanks for the info Jason C.

Brian v.

Paul mabbott · #6 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 04:28 PM

This Spring I wouldn't be too assertive about size: I've seen some very short 7-spot and 'harlequin' males. However, in this case, I'm thinking that you have two Adalia decempunctata. The two critical elements are the pale legs (rules out the 2-spot variants) and the forebody (not white all the way down each side so ruling out Harmonia axyridis) ... and I can't see what else it might be ...