Allotments 4 All

Hi guys, can you identify this bug?



There were dozens on a red current that was also being feasted upon by sawfly larvea. I'm not sure, but I thought I saw one attack the larvae. If they are killing the sawfly 'pillers I'd like to nurture them, but suspect I'm just not that lucky!!

Thank you!
A.

A 'ladybeetle' surely?

But never seen those markings.

Could be a harlequin ladybird, but I'm not sure. I was taught about it at college and evidently it's recently arrived in Britain and eats our ladybirds as well as other things. Pic is here@

Is it bigger than your average ladybird - if it is a harlequin it is notifiable as it eats our natives when it runs out of other food.

why not send the photo to Wisley's entomology dept? They are pretty good at replying!

moonbells

Thanks for your replies! I don't think it is any kind of ladybird ... when i knocked it off it didn't make any attempt to fly. 

Moonbells: I'll see what Wisley have to say, thanks!

A.

Could it be the pied shieldbug nymph? 

http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:0O4Yc5d3kqIJ:www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/bugs.html+redcurrant+beetles+ladybirds&hl=en

Thanks for that link Pauline - I am a teacher near Horncastle so the runner of that site is local to me - and I will be teaching habitats in the Spring.  I think an e-mail asking about the prospect of a talk etc might be in order.  I hope he agrees - he sounds very interesting.