Much like poppies, ladybirds come with instant eye-appeal. Who knows why: the shiny red wing cases that look like polished enamel; those striking black dots. From infancy I was anyway brought up with the notion of them: those lovely Ladybird children’s books so exciting to receive; cosy Ladybird cotton jumpers (items now known as sweatshirts) in bright primary colours. I had a red one, the colour of the ladybird. And a yellow one, the colour of this Golden Marguerite (Anthemis tinctora).
These days, as a more than grown up gardener, I mostly appreciate their appetite for aphids. They are at their most voracious during the larval stage, when they are distinctly creepy beasties: the minute Darth Vaders of insectdom:
https://www.field-studies-council.org/shop/publications/ladybird-larvae-guide/
So do not squash!
Some of their kind also eat scale insects and feed on mildew, a fact I’ve only just discovered as I’m writing this.
And another surprising find (to me anyway) that according to the Woodland Trust site there are 26 kinds of ladybird in the British Isles, with our gardens likely to be host to several species at any one time. I’ve only ever registered the existence of three or four types, including the Seven-Spot in the header photo. One of the commonest is an incomer from Asia – the Harlequin, which may be black with red spots or vice versa. It also eats aphids, but may at times predate on native ladybirds. Advice seems to be to let it alone. Trying to eradicate it might involve too much mis-identification of native species which have similar livery.
Looking now through my allotment photo archive, I’ve found I’ve snapped a Twenty-Two Spot ladybird. At least I think that’s what it is. It’s on a dahlia leaf and is one of the mildew eating varieties.
Seven-Spotters in action on an aphid colony
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#SimplyRed Day 3 Becky has us all in clover today.
Aren’t they fabulous? Sadly I rarely see one here. In nine years!
Well, now you mention it, I don’t think I’ve spotted any in our new garden. I have a notion you buy them on line. Or did I dream that?
No. It’s true you can buy both larvae and adults. Good to know if you have any aphids.
Yes, fabulous.
lovely captures!
Thanks, Sue. I now need to find some more in our new garden.
Beautiful. I spotted quite a few of them during my trip to London and yes they were swarming around the aphids like you said. Nature is amazing!
It is amazing, Tiffany.
I love seeing ladybirds! And I grew up with Ladybird books and Ladybird clothes too 😀 I still have one of the former, and we have a couple of my husband’s too!
My favourite Ladybird books were the set that covered the seasons. Such lovely illustrations.
Yes! The one I still have is What to Look For in Spring 🙂
Oh, how lovely you still have it.
lol..Good bugs are good to have around..Haven’t seen any lately but there is always hope.
I’ve not seen any in our new garden.
Interesting post Tish. You sent me researching again. You call them Ladybirds and we call them Ladybugs. I’ve only seen the red/orange variety here. We treat them kindly, knowing they are our helpers.
Yes, ladybugs. I’ve written a couple of stories for the US children’s magazine called Ladybug (Carus Publishing).
Ladybirds overwinter in our bedroom every winter. We know the worst is over when they suddenly vanish.
Well that’s an interesting weather forecasting device. Probably more reliable than the met. office.
I’m sure they were great for the kids.
Not a very high bar these days – but yes!
Could do with a few more, the clematis are covered in black aphids.
Can be bought on line, Brian!!!
Really? Shouldn’t be too surprised though. Think I’ll let nature do it’s thing but looks like the aphids have won this round.
A bit of washing up liquid in water in a spray bottle can whoosh some of them away. Messy though.
They’re much too pretty to be thugs, aren’t they? We usually see a few but I couldn’t tell you what time of year. Lovely photos, Tish xx
Thanks, Jo.
So beautiful!! Love🐞
Thank you. Love the emoji.
My pleasure.
We used to get flights of ladybugs (red ones) so huge — cloud-sized — they covered the house and entire garden. One year, they stopped coming. I was always fond of them. Pretty little things AND they eat bad bugs. My kind of insect!
We had those great clouds one year when we were on the beach in Wales. Quite extraordinary.
They only stayed a couple of days, but there were so MANY.
crikey 26? I knew we had a few but like you didn’t realise it was quite that many. Love seeing them
Wow 26!!! Not sure how many are over here, but I used to love seeing them when I had the garden. None come up here to visit though. Nice contrasting colours in your header photo.
A ladybird visiting your sky-high residence would be quite something, Pauline. But then you never know.