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Ladybirds are everywhere at the moment, lots of them too. They’re in the greenhouse, peeking out of the bug boxes I’ve provided, grouped together on shrubs, fence posts and they’re even spilling out of the joins of my wooden raised beds.
I’m hoping they stick around and zap all the aphid this year.
I found one on my washing just now when I brought it in, but don’t think we’ve got as many as you, by the sound of it. The aphids in your garden had better watch out!
We do have to be looking out for harlequin ladybirds, though, although I’m not sure how easy it is to tell them apart from natives. There is a website to report them to.
Karin, I’ve seen harlequin ladybirds before (in our previous garden) and wrote a post about them with some photos: https://thegardensmallholder.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/harlequin-ladybirds-are-bad-news/
They tend to be much larger than our natives. The harlequin photos in the above link were taken with a standard lens, not a macro as I’ve done with this post.
That’s good to know. I thought I found a dead one the other day, but it was the same size as a native ladybird, so I wasn’t sure. The colourings seem to be similar to one kind of native ladybird or another.
I’ve noticed loads of ladybirds in the last week or so. We’ve had quite a few appear in the house, probably brought in on the washing. Hoping there is enough for them to feed on. Last year we had similar warm weather early on and lots of ladybirds and then I’m guessing because there weren’t enough aphids etc to feed on they died and there were no ladybirds to be seen, it was well into July before ladybird numbers picked up again.
Great shots! I don’t think I have seen any ladybirds this year, maybe I’m not looking hard enough! Will probably see them everywhere now!
I’ve seen plenty on the plot the past couple of weeks. Terrific photos, much better than any I’ve taken! xx
Love your ladybird pictures. Plenty aphids in Jersey but haven’t seen many ladybirds yet. PLEASE can anyone tell me a good way to get rid of Vine Weevils…..I’m a bit scared to use that chemical killer as have lots of birds, cats and a gorgeous puppy who may dig up things and nibble. Have been told Jeyes Fluid is good…but were they joking????
Hi Carole, I wouldn’t use anything with chemicals in my garden either! I had a quick look on google for an organic alternative (parasitic nematodes) and found somewhere local to you: http://www.jerseyplantsdirect.com/control-vine-weevil-larvae-with-parasitic-nematodes-5-000-000
Vine weevil have natural predators such as frogs, toads and hedgehogs, but because they live deeper in the soil they tend to dodge them! Good luck.
Wonderful photographs – I coordinate the UK Ladybird Survey. It would be great to receive all your ladybird records on-line:
http://www.ladybird-survey.org
Thank you Helen! Thanks for adding the survey link to this post, I will certainly use it and record my sightings.
hee – so sweet seeing that little one poking its head over the round tunnel of wood:)
That’s my favourite photo! Thanks for your comments, your artwork is fabulous!