Information on Loughborough

Ladybird spotters

Posted on 07/05/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

6 May 2009

Ladybird spotters

If you are out for a walk or simply in your garden why not join in a survey of one of our most popular insects, the ladybird.

Leicestershire County Council’s Historic and Natural Environment Team are calling on all ladybird spotters to take part in their annual survey. A free information pack with an identification guide is available to help you in your ladybird spotting.

The commonest ladybirds in Leicestershire and Rutland include the 2 spot, 7-spot and the 14 spot. They can be found anywhere where there are plants with aphids. A ladybird can eat up to 100 greenfly a day.

Local conservationists also want to know how widespread the harlequin ladybird is in the two counties. The Harlequin ladybird is a voracious predator that out competes native ladybirds for food and has led to our native ladybird species being under threat.  Through previous surveys volunteers have charted the spread of the harlequin in Leicestershire and Rutland and it is important that this work continues.

For a free ladybird pack please contact Kay Snowdon, Heritage Support Officer on 0116 267 0003, email wildlife @leics.gov.uk or write to Leicestershire County Council’s Environmental Resources Centre, Holly Hayes, 216 Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4DG, or visit www.leics.gov.uk/species_surveys