Topic: Ladybirds

[caroline7758]

While weeding between my raspberries today I disturbed quite a few overwintering ladybirds. Some of them appeared dead- could they have just been asleep? I relocated them to another bush nearby. Made me realise I don't know much about ladybirds. Do you think they will survive the disturbance?

[Ellen K]

I don't know anything about them either but if they don't wake up in the warmth of the sun then they are deceased I suspect.  And it's amazing how their population recovers when the weather picks up and food appears.

I've got loads in the Daleks, not sure what to do with them as it gets pretty hot in there sometime.  But if they found their way in ....

[Ellen K]

Related: around about Easter I have the annual release from the garage of hibernating butterflies.  I just collect up those round the window and show them the door.  You pick them up and they look dead but after a few seconds in the sunshine they are off!  LBs are the same maybe?

[Flighty]

I saw lots around the plot on Saturday!

The UK Ladybirds site tells you all about them
http://www.ladybird-survey.org/ladybirds.aspx

[caroline7758]

Thanks for that link, Flighty- very useful.

[Robert_Brenchley]

They hibernate in clusters, so they tend to appear all together. The 'dead' ones may well have simply been too chilled to move.

[Debs]

 A bit of sun makes all the difference.

Its been a warm sunny day here in NE & I've seen the ladybirds on the warm brick walls of the

conservatory

Debs :D