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Ladybird Survey
Posted on 29/04/2008
P. Klein
Ladybirds (or ladybugs if you are American) are loved by the public but now help is needed to monitor local numbers as an invasive species called the harlequin ladybird spreads across England. Ladybirds are generally considered useful insects as many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places.
Local conservationists are appealing for records for one of our most popular insects. Budding ladybird spotters will benefit from a free information pack and identification guides.
Leicestershire County Council’s Community Heritage Initiative is focussing on the ladybird for its latest wildlife focus as, last year, project volunteers found the substantial numbers of the harlequin ladybird in the county and now more records are needed to look at how their numbers are spreading. Records sent to the Holly Hayes Environment and Heritage Resources Centre will also be forwarded to the national project monitoring the spread of the Harlequin Ladybird.
Ladybirds can be found in almost every type of terrestrial habitat in Britain. Species such as the 7-spot occur anywhere where plants with aphids are found, at almost anytime of year. Conservationists are concerned that a new Asian species of ladybird has been noted to be spreading across the UK and elsewhere in Europe, it has lead to native ladybird species being under threat. The Harlequin Lady Bird (also known as the Asian lady beetle - Harmonia Axyridis) is a better competitor and eats more food than native species. In Europe, the species was first seen in Belgium in 2001. It spread fast and has spread through western Germany (2002), the Netherlands (2003), northern France (2004), the UK (2004) and Scandinavia (2007). In the UK, there have now confirmed sightings throughout the South East , west to Cornwall and the west coast of Pembrokeshire (Wales), and north to north Lancashire, north Yorkshire and south Durham (county). Their voracious appetite also means that if food is short they can turn to eating smaller British ladybirds, butterfly eggs and caterpillars.
For a free ladybird survey form and leaflet please contact the Community Heritage Initiative on 0116 267 1377, email chi@leics.gov.uk or write to Leicestershire County Council’s Environmental Resources Centre, Holly Hayes, 216 Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4DG. More information on this and other related issues can be found at www.leics.gov.uk/celebrating_wildlife.