In a spot of bother....

On the subject of overwintering, ( invertebrates can not hibernate like some warm blooded mammals but instead enter a dormant state), you might start seeing aggregations or clusters of ladybirds in the corners of your rooms about now. The day length and temperatures encourage them to seek overwintering sites. Hopefully these will be the Two Spot Ladybird Adalia bipunctata but most likely it will be the infamous Harlequin Ladybird, Harmonia axyridis. We have identified 46 species of Ladybird in the UK so far and now they are under threat from this one big, brash invader. Originally from Eastern Asia, the Harlequin has been used in biological controls around the world. In 2004 it landed on our shores. Common thought is that it strayed over from North America but however it got here does not matter now. What does is the fact it is here at all, and what effect it has on our rather special native species. Harlequins are the masters of disguise. They display many colour and pattern variants but they all have brown legs. The problem is that they breed twice a year, ours only once. A large majority of our species of Ladybirds eat only aphids. Harlequins eat not only aphids, but other insects and their eggs, including our own native Ladybird eggs and larvae. They are at present not susceptible to the parasites and pathogens that infect our native species. In short, Harlequin numbers are exploding and with no checks in place they are seriously threatening our own iconic Ladybirds as well as other important insects. Record any you see this winter please and download your sitings at  www.harlequin-survey.org we need to know how they are spreading around the UK. If by chance you spot any native species then please do the same at www.ladybird-survey.org . If you disturb Ladybirds they will 'bleed' a chemical mixture from their knee joints and other places. This is their defense and it can be rather smelly. See how many spots you can spot this winter!

Harlequin Ladybirds Harmonia axyridis getting ready for winter.