Pine Ladybird query

[htcdude]

The other day on some ivy I saw what i thought to be a Pine Ladybird. However this one was yellow where it should be red. I thought it might be a Harlequin, but the head was black with white eyes, I thought the Harlequin had red eyes/head.

On the reverse side of the leaf it was on was it's shell, so do Pine Ladybird appear have yellow spots after they emerge from pupation?

Was it a Pine or Harlequin?

Thanks,

Nige

[Geoff F]

I'm afraid that most ladybirds, including Harlequin are rather variable in colour.

About the only one that I am prepared to identify without a photo is the 7 spot.

There is an identification chart for Harlequins here Harlequin Ladybird Survey - Recognition and Distinction

And here for 'standard' UK ladybirds http://www.ladybird-survey.org/

[htcdude]

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for the reply. I did check those charts already and it didn't fit any of the patterns/colour of the Harlequin. This one was identical to a Pine, except where it should be red, it was yellow.

Nige

[Paul mabbott]

A bit of confusion here - when you say the "head" was black with white eyes do you actually mean the fore-body? All beetles have three body parts - the abdomen/hindbody is the largest and usually consists of the elytra/wing-cases; the middle part id the pronotum/forebody which is of one part and much smaller than the elytra - in many ladybirds this is black or red with white or other markings. The head is much the smallest part and, in ladybirds, is partly hidden by the forebody: it bears antennae eyes, mouthparts &c - eyes are small and usually black/brown.
Having explained this - I suggest that you're referring to the forebody with pale markings which look eye-like? In which case your insect is not a pine ladybird since these always have all-black forebodies.
The spectabilis form of Harmonia axyridis seems more likely- these are usually considerably larger than pine or other ladybirds and they have sizeable white pronotal markings which extend along the whole external edge of the forebody.

Originally Posted by htcdude

The other day on some ivy I saw what i thought to be a Pine Ladybird. However this one was yellow where it should be red. I thought it might be a Harlequin, but the head was black with white eyes, I thought the Harlequin had red eyes/head.

On the reverse side of the leaf it was on was it's shell, so do Pine Ladybird appear have yellow spots after they emerge from pupation?

Was it a Pine or Harlequin?

Thanks,

Nige

[htcdude]

Thanks Paul,

I see what you mean, it's me getting my ladybird body parts all mixed up, at least I know for the future!

A Harlequin it is...again

Nige