Black Lady Birds

[KatieHop]

??? ???Hello There.  I'm new on your brilliant site so please be gentle with me. My Small garden in sunny Kent is over run with black lady birds with red spots. I haven't seen them before and wondered if they are unusual or if I just haven't noticed them before. Thanks Katie

[KatieHop]

[redimp]

Due to your location I am posting this link.  If you do not recognise a ladybird and you live down South especially, you need to check whether  it is a harlequin or not. http://www.harlequin-survey.org/recognition_and_distinction.htm  If it is one, it needs reporting.  I would also destroy it even though killing is against my nature.

[KatieHop]

It does look like a harlequin as the spots aren't round. I'm going to try and catch one and take a picture as I can email it to be verified. If they say it is, then I will do as you say and destroy any that I find. Thanks so much for your help.

[vegging out]

Do you have any conifer trees nearby,i've seen many ladybirds which are black with  red spot in conifers.
If so it's probably the pine ladybird.
There are many species of black ladybird so I would refrain from killing yours until totally sure.
Have a look here......http://www.ladybird-survey.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/londonla.htm

[the_snail]

Please do not destroy anything until it has been confirmed by an expert. Get in touch with your local wildlife section of your city and have a word with them! Dont destroy something that may be a friend!

The_Snail

[Val]

I've seen a couple of the black ones in my garden this year...also in Kent...but I don't think they are the harlequin ones, they are bigger aren't they? They also have a v like shape on their back..so I've read , I'm not killing them, they were only tiny and looked to be munching the black fly.

[Skippy]

Hello there, I'm new to the site too, and thought I'd add another suggestion - young ladybirds are balck too, so if you see them eating aphids etc it could be babies!  As others have said, identification is the key.