I have just been sat in my back gardenb and there appears to be loads of greenfly on the move (all heading my way) Has anybody else noticed that there seems to be a lot this year and that the ladybirds appear to have gone into hiding (there are a few but not as many as a couple of weeks ago) The good news is that I have found a few ladybird larvae inthe garden too. However, the downside of this is that I cannot spray my greenfly with ivy leaf tea. First it was the blue tits, now its the ladybirds - might as well tip the stuff down the drain!
Apparently it all makes sense if you watched Bill Oddie which my OH did. The ladyb irds came out early when it was warmish, found no greenfly much about so disappeared. Now have greenfly & not many ladybirds. I remember thinking early on, "Oh goody, lots of ladybirds" but I was wrong to celebrate so soon. I am sure it will all balance out eventually but I'll be doing alot of squishing in the meantime.
Missed that one - watching it at the moment though - did see the one where he explained the late frog spawn.
very pleased to see greenfly on my dandelions 8)
Good news though. On the programme (Springwatch) the other night (think it was Mon or Tues) they said that ladybirds were starting to increase due to the ladybirds apparent amorous nature  ;) - so all its not lost, and they should be on the increase now!
Loads of greenfly here in the west midlands, had loads of ladybirds in April and May and then they vanished. I was concerned until Bill Oddie. We are hunting down lady birds and putting them on the greenfly. You should see the greenfly trying to escape!!! ;D