What are these things - sorry no pics

[shaolin101]

I will describe as best as i can.

On my garden wall (yellow brick) there are some weird looking bugs - loads of them stuck to the side.

They are less than 1cm in length, black and red (some look black with red blobs and some vice versa). The have what looks like a shell - looks like armour plating too - quite ridged.

They seemed to be stuck like grubs but some where showing legs.

Any ideas? Are they dangerous?

PS - My daughter (2 1/2 years) looked at out back door and said there was an armadillo stuck to the door. It was a snail. She knows the word armadillo but not a snail!!! - We don't live that wild girl!

[shaolin101]

[undercarriage plan]

Weird!! I found something similar too, today. Do they look like one end is stuck to the surface, like a sucker? Similar to ladybird larvae, but not.  No idea what they are, but doubt if they are dangerous. If I don't hear from you........ Lottie  ;D

[Svea]

i bet it's a ladybird larvae, dried up or othewise. i found a couple today stuck to a leaf. i dont know what they do to emerge from the larva to the bug - can anyone help?

i find empty 'shells' occasionally stuck to leaves and such

ladybird larvae look dangerous but are obviously good! :)

[redimp]

I saw what looked like a  half ladybird larvae/half ladybird near the water up the lottie the other day.  Well bizarre - thought it might be a ladybird emerging from the inbetween stage.  It was half lasybird and bottom half larvae shaped but all ladybird colour.  I do not know how ladybirds transform - not to self to make sure I do soon.

[Mrs Ava]

This??

[redimp]

That's not an inbetweeny though.

Still not an inbetweeny but nearly (if this link works - it was a popup)


Pupa

[shaolin101]

Its quite like that redclanger, but may be younger so are brighter.

The colours were more pronounced - it did look like it was stuck at one end. One had legs sticking out - bigger than ladybird legs.

Red and black as well but not spots like a ladybird more like blotches.

They do look like they will grow into something - will keep an eye on them

Will do my best to get a picture (digi camera is being repaird but might be able to take a picture using the videocam)

[kenkew]

Possibly fire bugs?

[shaolin101]

Did a google image and they werent quite right - then tried ladybird pupa - am almost definite thats what they are.

Is that before or after the larvae stage? Those larvae look mean! Cannot belive those monsters turn into ladybirds!

If they dont wander too far I am gonna have a whole colony in my garden.

[kenkew]

Glad you ID'd them. If they're 'stuck' it means they're in the process of turning into ladybirds.

[shaolin101]

Are ladybirds generally a good or bad bug to have? Mainly growing food but will be starting flowers soon enough - or are they plant killers?

[Twospot Ladybird]

Ladybirds munch Aphids which in turn suck the sap from your beloved plants. Ladybirds = Good Bug.

[redimp]

Ladybirds are my best friends - I look after their babies for them.  I like Bumble Bees but when I try to make friends with them they B*gger off again so they mustn't like me - just after what they can get...

Now where is that darkened room?