Can somebody id these ladybirds please South Yorkshire on rough grassland thus weekend. (1 Viewer)

[Andy Lakin]

Are these all the same species? Obviously I can see that they look different but am unaware of the range of variability.Do Ladybirds ever hybridise?
Thanks
Andy

 

[Andy Lakin]

View attachment 1578511Are these all the same species? Obviously I can see that they look different but am unaware of the range of variability.Do Ladybirds ever hybridise?
Thanks
Andy

Just had a quick Google and am I right in thinking that the right one is a 2 Spot Ladybird? Am I wrong thinking that all three were mating (whatever the correct term.is)?

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

So although most Ladybird species are very consistent in their colour patterns, with just one or two varieties, there is one species, Harlequin Ladybird, that is tremendously variable. This recent introduction is our largest species, and many varieties have a distinctive W shaped mark on the thorax. The lower 2 in your photo show this. The third individual looks the same size, whereas if it had been a 2 spot would have been considerably smaller. 3 Harlequins, and presumably 2 males trying to dislodge each other for mating rights.

 

[Andy Lakin]

So although most Ladybird species are very consistent in their colour patterns, with just one or two varieties, there is one species, Harlequin Ladybird, that is tremendously variable. This recent introduction is our largest species, and many varieties have a distinctive W shaped mark on the thorax. The lower 2 in your photo show this. The third individual looks the same size, whereas if it had been a 2 spot would have been considerably smaller. 3 Harlequins, and presumably 2 males trying to dislodge each other for mating rights.

Thanks for the reply. I did consider Harlequin but wrongly assumed that they were noticeably bigger. Thanks for the id pointers, there were quite a few ladybirds in that small area, I will have to have a closer look the next time I'm up there.