Topic: Can you identify this bug?

[ajb]

Hi guys, can you identify this bug?



There were dozens on a red current that was also being feasted upon by sawfly larvea. I'm not sure, but I thought I saw one attack the larvae. If they are killing the sawfly 'pillers I'd like to nurture them, but suspect I'm just not that lucky!!

Thank you!
A.

[tim]

A 'ladybeetle' surely?

But never seen those markings.

[jennym]

Could be a harlequin ladybird, but I'm not sure. I was taught about it at college and evidently it's recently arrived in Britain and eats our ladybirds as well as other things. Pic is here@

[redimp]

Is it bigger than your average ladybird - if it is a harlequin it is notifiable as it eats our natives when it runs out of other food.

[moonbells]

why not send the photo to Wisley's entomology dept? They are pretty good at replying!

moonbells

[ajb]

Thanks for your replies! I don't think it is any kind of ladybird ... when i knocked it off it didn't make any attempt to fly. 

Moonbells: I'll see what Wisley have to say, thanks!

A.

[Paulines7]

Could it be the pied shieldbug nymph? 

 http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:0O4Yc5d3kqIJ:www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/bugs.html+redcurrant+beetles+ladybirds&hl=en

[redimp]

Thanks for that link Pauline - I am a teacher near Horncastle so the runner of that site is local to me - and I will be teaching habitats in the Spring.  I think an e-mail asking about the prospect of a talk etc might be in order.  I hope he agrees - he sounds very interesting.