May 28, 2008
More ladybirding
Since being inspired by April's rainy ladybirding trip to the Brecks, I've been keeping my eyes peeled for ladybirds at work, on birding trips and even spent two days surveying for the Cambs ladybird atlas. I picked up a couple more new species, both relatively small and herbivorous; the 24-spot (the hairy surface of its wing cases or elytra give it a 'matte' look)
... and the 16-spot, where the 3 spots along the edge of the elytra often fuse into a line.
This species may at first glance be confused with a pale 14-spot, though the latter is larger and the 'spots' are more like rectangles...
... or the brighter yellow 22-spot, a mildew feeder.
One of the commoner species, the 2-spot, shows a remarkable degree of polymorphism, including several melanic forms...
... and some variations on the classic 2-spotted form (this one appears to have eyebrows).
10-spots often occur in the same habitat as 2-spots (hedgerows and deciduous trees). Here's a typical individual...
... and a chequered melanic form munching on an aphid.
The attractive Cream-spot is also found on deciduous trees...
... while the superficially similar 18-spot is a pine specialist.
The 18-spot was found during two enjoyable days of ladybird surveying, where one of our tetrads was saved from mediocrity by a mixed row of larch and Scots pine at the roadside. This isolated clump of trees yielded Pine, Larch and Cream-streaked ladybirds (below), plus the tiny Scymnus suturalis and an Eyed.
Unsurprisingly, Harlequin ladybirds were present, and frequently abundant, in a range of habitats.
The orange, faintly spotted Harlequin in this mating pair is probably freshly-emerged - they certainly don't waste any time!
