Spotted! New atlas reveals trends in British ladybird species - CEH
The first atlas of Britain and Ireland's ladybirds is published today. The atlas is the result of a six-year research project by the UK Ladybird Survey, building on data collected over the last two centuries.
The new publication maps all 47 species of ladybirds in Britain and Ireland, building on thousands of observations from volunteer recorders. The earliest record in the atlas is that of the rare 13-spot ladybird, recorded near Oxford in 1819. The most commonly recorded species, with 27000 records, is the 7-spot ladybird, closely followed by the newly arrived Harlequin ladybird with over 25000 records.
Within the atlas there is a detailed analysis of ladybird observations from the last 20 years. The results show that ten ladybird species have significantly declined in this period, whilst five have increased. Distribution maps are provided for each species together with a wide range of supplementary information covering recording techniques, species identification, ladybird parasites, historical aspects, and 194 colour photographs.
The first atlas of Britain and Ireland's ladybirds is published today. The atlas is the result of a six-year research project by the UK Ladybird Survey, building on data collected over the last two centuries.
The new publication maps all 47 species of ladybirds in Britain and Ireland, building on thousands of observations from volunteer recorders. The earliest record in the atlas is that of the rare 13-spot ladybird, recorded near Oxford in 1819. The most commonly recorded species, with 27000 records, is the 7-spot ladybird, closely followed by the newly arrived Harlequin ladybird with over 25000 records.
Within the atlas there is a detailed analysis of ladybird observations from the last 20 years. The results show that ten ladybird species have significantly declined in this period, whilst five have increased. Distribution maps are provided for each species together with a wide range of supplementary information covering recording techniques, species identification, ladybird parasites, historical aspects, and 194 colour photographs.
About 'Ladybirds (Coccinellidae) of Britain and Ireland'
Ladybirds (Coccinellidae) of Britain and Ireland is being published on the opening day of the BBC Gardeners' World Live show at the NEC Birmingham from 15-19 June. The UK Ladybird Survey is exhibiting at the show in Hall 19. The atlas can be ordered via all good bookshops or purchased from the Field Studies Council or the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Full reference: Helen Roy, Peter Brown, Robert Frost, Remy Poland, 2011, 'Ladybirds (Coccinellidae) of Britain and Ireland', 198pp. Biological Records Centre, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, UK. ISBN 978-1-906698-20-1.
