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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