Harlequin Ladybirds

esther Top Member Posts: 2,677	Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 25, 2011 15:39:56 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by esther on Jan 25, 2011 15:39:56 GMT I came across these pics of the Harlequin Ladybirds we had in the garden a couple of years ago
	I love my greenhouses!

Geranium Top Member Posts: 13,081	Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 25, 2011 16:57:52 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Geranium on Jan 25, 2011 16:57:52 GMT I was reading about them - they're not all bad, as they do eat aphids. I wish they'd leave the native ladybirds alone, though! Excellent photos, Esther. Did you 'squidge' them after they'd posed for you?

wildlifefriendly Guest	Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 25, 2011 17:59:38 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by wildlifefriendly on Jan 25, 2011 17:59:38 GMT Thanks for posting those photos, they are completely different to the ones I thought were Harlequin ladybird.

esther
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Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 25, 2011 19:50:53 GMT

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Post by esther on Jan 25, 2011 19:50:53 GMT

Jan 25, 2011 16:57:52 GMT Geranium said:

I was reading about them - they're not all bad, as they do eat aphids. I wish they'd leave the native ladybirds alone, though!

Excellent photos, Esther. Did you 'squidge' them after they'd posed for you?

I love my greenhouses!

esther Top Member Posts: 2,677	Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 25, 2011 19:57:50 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by esther on Jan 25, 2011 19:57:50 GMT This might be useful www.harlequin-survey.org/downloads/Ladybird%20descriptions_Info%20pack_NEW_v.5.pdf
	I love my greenhouses!

wildlifefriendly Guest	Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 26, 2011 7:44:43 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by wildlifefriendly on Jan 26, 2011 7:44:43 GMT Thanks esther, I'm going to print that off. It is the first one of the three I recognise as the Harlequin ladybird, I didn't realise there were variations.

merlin Top Member Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." Posts: 2,797	Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 26, 2011 8:05:05 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by merlin on Jan 26, 2011 8:05:05 GMT Thanks Esther, I didn't know there were so many. I wonder if the Harlequin will mate with the others.

grindle Top Member Tamar Valley Posts: 19,745	Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 26, 2011 8:14:53 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by grindle on Jan 26, 2011 8:14:53 GMT that's a very useful site Esther thanks, I didn't know there were so many native ladybirds

Louise Top Member Posts: 3,363	Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 26, 2011 9:13:02 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Louise on Jan 26, 2011 9:13:02 GMT I don't like the harlequins because it's a similar situation to the red squirrel - grey squirrel problem
	Last Edit: Jan 26, 2011 9:13:21 GMT by Louise

Geranium Top Member Posts: 13,081	Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 26, 2011 9:15:57 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Geranium on Jan 26, 2011 9:15:57 GMT Yes, I'd agree with that - a very good analogy, Louise.

Rosie
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Rambling Rosie.

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Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 28, 2011 9:30:34 GMT

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Post by Rosie on Jan 28, 2011 9:30:34 GMT

Ah i have heard that there is something going around parasitising harlequin ladybirds but leaves our native one's alone, it was on autumnwatch i saw it and they had a couple there to show you.

Also a harlequin has an 'M' shape on the back of it's head.

Last Edit: Jan 28, 2011 9:32:45 GMT by Rosie

Geordie in Exile..

peony Top Member Posts: 4,719	Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 28, 2011 9:47:10 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by peony on Jan 28, 2011 9:47:10 GMT I'm glad to hear that Rosie, we don't want our ladybirds going the same way as our red squirrels
	Hertfordshire

grindle
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Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 28, 2011 11:54:33 GMT

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Post by grindle on Jan 28, 2011 11:54:33 GMT

Jan 28, 2011 9:30:34 GMT Rosie said:

Ah i have heard that there is something going around parasitising harlequin ladybirds but leaves our native one's alone, it was on autumnwatch i saw it and they had a couple there to show you.

Also a harlequin has an 'M' shape on the back of it's head.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8124099.stm

is this what you mean Rosie?

Rosie
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Rambling Rosie.

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Harlequin Ladybirds Jan 28, 2011 12:56:06 GMT

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Post by Rosie on Jan 28, 2011 12:56:06 GMT

Jan 28, 2011 11:54:33 GMT grindle said:

Jan 28, 2011 9:30:34 GMT Rosie said:

Ah i have heard that there is something going around parasitising harlequin ladybirds but leaves our native one's alone, it was on autumnwatch i saw it and they had a couple there to show you.

Also a harlequin has an 'M' shape on the back of it's head.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8124099.stm

is this what you mean Rosie?

I think thats the one, they didn't say what it was on autumnwatch, just that something was getting at them.