Ladybirds
There are over 40 species of ladybird in the UK – and not all of them have spots!
You can find over 40 different species of ladybird in the UK. The most common ladybird in the UK is the 7-spot ladybird, which has red wing cases decorated with seven black spots. However, other ladybird species are yellow, black, or brown, and have different numbers of spots. Some ladybird species, such as the larch ladybird, don’t have any spots at all!
Olei, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons
Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
When disturbed, ladybirds can defend themselves by releasing a sticky yellow goo in a process called reflex bleeding. This yellow goo contains toxic compounds which taste bad and deter predators. The bright colours and patterns displayed by many species of ladybirds also act as a warning.
Ladybirds are sometimes described as a gardener’s best friend as many ladybird species eat aphids. Aphids are serious plant pests – they damage plants by feeding on them, by spreading harmful viruses between them, and by secreting a sugary substance called honeydew which can then encourage fungi to grow on the plant.
How many different species of ladybirds can you spot on your walk? Why not record any ladybirds you find through the UK Ladybird Survey?
For more information:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=963