photomicro
harlequin ladybirds overwintering
The idea of ladybirds overwintering in aggregations was well know to me from reading and photographs I had seen. Up to now, I had never been lucky enough to come across more than a few together, and I could never really be sure this was what they were. Not so on this occasion, as you can see from this sequence of photos. The tremendous variation in body pattern leads me to think that these are harlequin ladybirds, of described as the fastest-speeding invasive insect in Europe. It is said to have arrived in England in 2003, following escapes from those used in pest-control.
These are inside a bird hide, and there were half a dozen 'clumps' of them. Quite a sight.
Near Masham, North Yorkshire, March 22nd 2018.
harlequin ladybirds overwintering
The idea of ladybirds overwintering in aggregations was well know to me from reading and photographs I had seen. Up to now, I had never been lucky enough to come across more than a few together, and I could never really be sure this was what they were. Not so on this occasion, as you can see from this sequence of photos. The tremendous variation in body pattern leads me to think that these are harlequin ladybirds, of described as the fastest-speeding invasive insect in Europe. It is said to have arrived in England in 2003, following escapes from those used in pest-control.
These are inside a bird hide, and there were half a dozen 'clumps' of them. Quite a sight.
Near Masham, North Yorkshire, March 22nd 2018.