Saw 3 of these in a friends garden...

charliebeth · #1 (**permalink**) 24-09-2011, 03:49 PM

Anyone know that this is? My friend had 3 on this plant pot in his garden. None of us had a clue, never seen any before.

loripo · #2 (**permalink**) 24-09-2011, 03:52 PM

Harlequin ladybird larvae

Ancient-looking aren't they?

charliebeth · #3 (**permalink**) 24-09-2011, 04:02 PM

Oh, wow. Thanks!!

Paul mabbott · #4 (**permalink**) 24-09-2011, 04:28 PM

Hello Charliebeth,
You don't give a location which some of us might be inteested in! The 'harlequin' Harmonia axyridis is a fairly recent coloniser of the British Isles and is still spreading: it's not very abundant to the North and West so your observations might be of interest.

What might be of interest to you is that there are lots of larvae about at the moment which, if the weather stays mild, will pupate and emerge as mature ladybirds over the next two or three weeks: one of the reasons why USAmericans call them 'halloween beetles'!

loripo · #5 (**permalink**) 24-09-2011, 05:38 PM

We have large numbers of them here (SW London) at the moment.

charliebeth · #6 (**permalink**) 25-09-2011, 09:03 AM

I saw them in a friends garden, we're in Lancaster, Lancashire. I'm at the far side of town from him and not seen any over this way. Although to be fair I don't think I've ever seen any ladybird larvae before.

charliebeth · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2011, 08:08 PM

If anyone wants to track them 'up north'.... my sister in law just posted a blured photo on FB of what looks like an adult one. They are near Rotherham (S. Yorks)