Kitchen Garden Forum

I found a ladybird on some foliage this morning which seemed to have a lot more spots than the usual ladybirds I come across. I seem to rememnber reading that some rogue variety of ladybird from the continent had made its way over here and was threatening to wipe out our native variety. Can anybody please enlighten me or point me to a website which shows pictures of the different species. Thanks.

http://www.harlequin-survey.org/

Some info here.

Many thanks for the helpful site. The ladybird has now flown away but it having compared it with one of the pictures shown, I'm pretty sure it was one of these invaders. I've recorded it on the site and will now be keeping a watchful eye out for others. Next time I'll catch it and send it off for verification. I'm saving these little Benecol drink containers with lids for dried seeds, so will have the ideal means of sending one through the post.

I heard about those Ladybirds just recently on a Radio 2 News Bulletin last week-ish, and the report was suggesting that they could seriously become a nuisance in the future,both to the ladybird and human population. So I'd capture any that you 'spot' (sorry for the pun) and send them off rather sharpish !!

Hi Wellie,
I heard about these about three weeks ago on the Farming report on BBC Radio 4 and they say that they have done terrible things to the indigenous Ladybirds in the USA and are on the way to doing the same here.
Thanks to Belinda's sterling effort I can now keep an eye on the spread. A most informative site Belinda thank you.
Wellie, keep those carrots, you managed to grow from Pelleted seed, well covered just in case as you seem to have managed where another has failed miserably!
JB.

Who would the 'failed miserably' possibly be perchance ?

Didn't you like the Early Nantes adorning the truck aerial at the picnic? No wonder Editor declined the truth of the straight-jackets and magic mushrooms at the picnic. OK - carrots restrained once more under the enviromesh.... wot if too late and they've got nobbled? Boo Hoo ! And just WHY have I got seven cape gooseberry seedlings growing in amongst my Early Nantes perchance ???!!! Explain THAT one away to me fella ! GOD, you think you know EVERYTHING !

Ooooooooh 'ers wonderful when 'ers roused!!!!!
JB.

PS read the PM.