Ladybirds in trouble !

[chesters1]

All,

 

What Leon was trying to say (and maybe did, I just missed it) is that Harlequins are an invasive alien species new to Britain (2004). Predicted to spread rapidly. Outcompetes other ladybird species and is a major threat to them, the natives, and some other insect groups in the UK.

 

Harlequin ladybirds are the carp of ladybirds.

 

Phone

Bloody hell they dont have pot bellies and names as well?

[Now there's a right un.]

It's the balance affect.

For a few years now Aphids have been seen in reduced numbers. I have an interest in their numbers because I collect them for my Ant Farms.

It has been harder for me to find any this year than it has ever been for a long time.

My guess is it is just the species balance, when prey is in short supply predators suffer until prey number boost again.

 

My Roses although blighted by Aphids are indeed blighted on a smaller scale as the Aphids that survived our prolonged winter have emerged much later than normal.

 

Hoverfly numbers have also dropped this year, their larvae also feed exclusively on Aphids.

[Si...]

Problem is that most of them would probably be Harlequins

 

Nope I would say 95% of them was the native 7 spot species