Page 87 - BBC Wildlife - August 2017 UK

Above: 7-spot very own iconic 7-spot ladybird. Not only does the 7-spot
ladybirds mate in ladybird prefer hunting in different places to the harlequin,
May. Left: mass with the invader favouring trees and the 7-spot preferring
7-spot ladybird herbaceous plants, but when together they seem quite
dispersals can be
seen in spring, evenly matched. Unfortunately, this is not the case for the
suchas here little 2-spot ladybird. It is poorly equipped for battle against
onthe North the harlequin andlikes exactlythe same habitats.
Norfolk coast. Two-spot ladybirdsalso appear to pupate a little earlier
than the harlequin ladybird. It is not uncommon to see a
large harlequin larva consuming a 2-spot pupa. So where
the harlequin ladybird thrives, it is becoming increasingly
difficult to find 2-spot ladybirds. However, for the plucky
7-spot ladybird it is a different story. No doubt challenges lie
ahead for this species, and the landscape is changing for
ladybirds– but children today can continue to enjoy the
magic of 7-spot ladybirds, just as I did 40 years ago.
+ GET INVOLVED
Learn more, and
report sightings, HELEN ROY is an ecologist at the Centre for Ecology
at www.ladybird- and Hydrology, and co-author of A Natural History of
survey.org
Ladybird Beetles (Cambridge University Press).

10-SPOT LADYBIRD 2-SPOT LADYBIRD ORANGE LADYBIRD PINE LADYBIRD
ABUNDANCE: ● ● ● ● ABUNDANCE: ● ● ● ABUNDANCE: ● ● ABUNDANCE: ●
A close relative of the 2-spot This small ladybird was The splodgy cream spots on Despite its name, this ladybird
ladybird, this species is also historically more widespread, this bright orange ladybird occurs on many more host
highly variable. The typical but its range has shrunk since appear to have translucent plants than just pine. It feeds
form looks like the harlequin the arrival of the harlequin rims around the edges. It is predominantly on scale
ladybird but their spot ladybird. It is highly variable commonly seen on deciduous insects. Red comma-shaped
patterns are usually subtly in colour pattern; while some trees, feeding on mildew. Once markings on the wing-cases
different; typically there is one are red with two black spots, largely restricted to ancient are characteristic for this
spot on each ‘shoulder’, while others are black with four woodlands, it has expanded its species, which is also shaped
the harlequin has two. or six red spots. range in recent decades. like a bowler hat.

August 2017 BBC Wildlife 87