Hi,
We need your help regarding our native ladybirds.
There is a serious threat of an invasive species called the Harlequin Ladybird. The harlequin ladybird is a native of eastern Asia, occurring from central Siberia, Kazakhstan and Tashkent eastwards through Russia to the Pacific coast, Korea and Japan and south to Mongolia, China, and Taiwan and into the Himalayas.
The harlequin ladybird has been introduced into many countries as a biological control agent against aphid and scale infestations in greenhouses, crops and gardens. Populations have now established in North America, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Belgium, Holland, Greece and Egypt.
The problem with the Harlequin is that they can seriously affect native ladybird species Harlequin ladybirds feed most commonly on aphids, but have a wide food range, also feeding on the eggs and larvae of butterflies and moths and many other small insects, including other ladybirds. They have not yet been recorded in the south but it is likely that they will travel here in time.
It is therefore important that we know what we have with regards to our native ladybirds. As yet there are very little recordings on native ladybirds. The Ladybirds of Ireland website http://www.habitas.org.uk/ladybirds/) has recorded some species but we need to know more. We are asking you the Cork branch members to report your sightings to the web site.
If you see any ladybirds in your travels or have them in your garden then we need to know. Dr Roy Anderson who is involved in the above website would be delighted if we could send any sightings of native ladybirds to him. He is more than happy to accept all records of sightings with a date and location. He would prefer photos if possible but will accept sightings without photos of some of the common species. He will also identify pjhotos of species sent to him.
The above website offers a very good identification guide just look at the habitat and the coverings on the back of the ladybird. If you need help dont hesitate to contact the above website or the corkbranch.
Ladybirds of Ireland website (http://www.habitas.org.uk/ ladybirds/)
Gill
We need your help regarding our native ladybirds.
There is a serious threat of an invasive species called the Harlequin Ladybird. The harlequin ladybird is a native of eastern Asia, occurring from central Siberia, Kazakhstan and Tashkent eastwards through Russia to the Pacific coast, Korea and Japan and south to Mongolia, China, and Taiwan and into the Himalayas.
The harlequin ladybird has been introduced into many countries as a biological control agent against aphid and scale infestations in greenhouses, crops and gardens. Populations have now established in North America, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Belgium, Holland, Greece and Egypt.
The problem with the Harlequin is that they can seriously affect native ladybird species Harlequin ladybirds feed most commonly on aphids, but have a wide food range, also feeding on the eggs and larvae of butterflies and moths and many other small insects, including other ladybirds. They have not yet been recorded in the south but it is likely that they will travel here in time.
It is therefore important that we know what we have with regards to our native ladybirds. As yet there are very little recordings on native ladybirds. The Ladybirds of Ireland website http://www.habitas.org.uk/ladybirds/) has recorded some species but we need to know more. We are asking you the Cork branch members to report your sightings to the web site.
If you see any ladybirds in your travels or have them in your garden then we need to know. Dr Roy Anderson who is involved in the above website would be delighted if we could send any sightings of native ladybirds to him. He is more than happy to accept all records of sightings with a date and location. He would prefer photos if possible but will accept sightings without photos of some of the common species. He will also identify pjhotos of species sent to him.
The above website offers a very good identification guide just look at the habitat and the coverings on the back of the ladybird. If you need help dont hesitate to contact the above website or the corkbranch.
Ladybirds of Ireland website (http://www.habitas.org.uk/ ladybirds/)
Gill
