Ladybirds (1 Viewer)

KenM

Well-known member

• Nov 10, 2018

• #1

Every Winter (NE.London) Ladybirds hibernate in opposite corners of my bedroom Lintle/cornice.....thought the ratios of Harlequin to other types might be of interest?

Cheers

 

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aeshna5

Well-known member

• Nov 11, 2018

• #2

They are all Harlequins from what I can see!

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Nov 11, 2018

• #3

I have to assume that the black based with red spots indicate age/gender, had assumed that the coventional red based with black spots were of a different type, whilst acknowledging that (this) latter type are different to the Ladybirds of my youth?

Cheers

 

A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Nov 11, 2018

• #4

They are all adult (once it looks like an ladybird, it's an adult, though newly emerged may not show all the pattern for some hours after emerging from a pupa) + the colour patterns you observe are not age or gender related. It's a very variable species with 3 named forms in the UK- succinea for the spotty ones on an orange background + 2 melanic forms: spectabilis with 4 red spots on black + cospicua with 2 red spots (usually with black eyes) on black elytra.

You wouldn't have seen any of these in the UK in your youth!

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Nov 11, 2018

• #5

aeshna5 said:

They are all adult (once it looks like an ladybird, it's an adult, though newly emerged may not show all the pattern for some hours after emerging from a pupa) + the colour patterns you observe are not age or gender related. It's a very variable species with 3 named forms in the UK- succinea for the spotty ones on an orange background + 2 melanic forms: spectabilis with 4 red spots on black + cospicua with 2 red spots (usually with black eyes) on black elytra.

You wouldn't have seen any of these in the UK in your youth!

Click to expand...

When I was a Lad.....time stood still!

 

J

Jack Dawe

Well-known member

• Nov 12, 2018

• #6

I'm given to understand that the rule of thumb is that any ladybird trying to hibernate indoors is a Harlequin - but how reliable is this?