Tuesday, 11 July 2023

Ladybirds - and their amazing multi-coloured coats!

9th July 2023 - Andy M has noticed a good number of ladybirds around at the moment, feasting on the equally prevalent greenfly and blackfly. These include not only the 'classic red with black spots' of the Two-spot Ladybird and Seven-spot Ladybird, but also the multitudinous variety of colours and spots of the Harlequin Ladybird.  And all on just one plum tree - which now has hardly any greenfly!

Two-spot Ladybird

Seven-spot Ladybird

Seven-spot Ladybirds

Seven-spot Ladybird and a Harlequin (top right)

Harlequin - orange with 19 large black spots (succinea form)

Harlequin - orange with 19 rather smaller black spots (succinea form)

Harlequin - orange, with 17 black spots

Harlequin - orange, with 16 small black spots,
and a whiter pronotum (the part of body between the head and the wingcase)

Harlequin, orange with faint spots near the head - with a Lucerne Bug or Alfalfa Bug

Harlequin - orange with 19 very large black spots, some of which are fused.

Harlequin - red, with 19 large spots (succinea form)

Harlequin - red, with 19 smaller spots, and a whiter pronotum (succinea form)

Harlequin - orange and red, both with 19 spots

Harlequin - black and shiny, with 4 large orange spots (spectabilis form)

Harlequin - similarly black and shiny, with 4 large red spots (spectabilis form)

Harlequin - smaller, black and shiny, with 4 large orange spots (spectabilis form)

Harlequin - smaller, black and shiny, with 2 large orange spots (conspicua form)

Harlequin pupae - the transition form between larvae and adults

Apparently Harlequin ladybird colours are highly variable, with wing cases that can be pale yellow-orange, orange-red, red or black in colour, with between 0 and 18 spots, again highly variable. Most common in the UK are orangy-red with 15-21 spots, or black with 2 or 4 orange or red spots. The Pronotum can be white or cream with up to five spots which may fused to create an M pattern!

https://www.coleoptera.org.uk/coccinellidae/how-recognise-harlequin-ladybird
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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

  • To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
  • To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
  • To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
  • To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)