What do these look like? I saw a weird looking lady bird the other day, but didn't want to get rid of it just in case. I googled for pictures, but they all looked so different and half of them looked like normal ladybirds. How do I tell?
Hi Aqui
As a rule of thumb, Harlequins are nearly twice the size of our native ladybirds if that's any help. And don't get rid of them. Although they are a problem to our natives they are a fact of life here in the UK now and they do eat the baddies. :)
G x
I am using ladybirds as biocontrol. I have an aphid problem on my chillies, so at the moment I am fetching 3-4 nymphs inside every day and introducing them to the food supply. They are doing a good job, though getting to pupal stage quite fast, probably because of too much good food!!!
I think they're Harlequins as they're under my aphid-infested sycamore. If my hatchlings prove to be 7-spots then they'll go back outside so they can breed. The harlequins can stay on!
moonbells
Ok, I won't harm them. I usually can't bring myself to hurt things anyway. Softy vegetarian that I am!
The one I saw was normal sized, so it must've been a native ladybird anyway!
Aquilegia this site might be of help and interest
http://www.ladybird-survey.org/
found a small, yellow one today ;D