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A ladybird visiting one of my mountain ash trees I planted earlier this year

deadendwaterfalldeadendwaterfall Posts: 70
in Problem solving
Are ladybirds generally interested in mountain ash trees in particular? Also, once this tree starts growing the berries, can I expect to see a lot more minibeasts as well as ladybirds visit?


Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Hello @deadendwaterfall. Ladybirds are predators and will go anywhere where there is a good aphid collection and they won't say no to the odd spider or other small invertebrate. They fly of course so it could be that it was just 'in transit' looking for food. They have no particualr affinity to mountain ash trees.
    When the berries form and ripen on your tree you will be inundated with wild life - blackbirds will love the feast. The flowers will have provided vital sustenance for the pollinators. A great native tree to have in your garden.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • deadendwaterfalldeadendwaterfall Posts: 70
    Ladybird4 said:
    Hello @deadendwaterfall. Ladybirds are predators and will go anywhere where there is a good aphid collection and they won't say no to the odd spider or other small invertebrate. They fly of course so it could be that it was just 'in transit' looking for food. They have no particualr affinity to mountain ash trees.
    When the berries form and ripen on your tree you will be inundated with wild life - blackbirds will love the feast. The flowers will have provided vital sustenance for the pollinators. A great native tree to have in your garden.
    Will any robins in the area be likely to take an interest in this tree once it has berries or do they prefer other types of tree to mountain ash? 
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Are you meaning that robins will eat the berries or that they will nest in the tree? They are mainly insectivores but will eat fruit and seeds so may visit your tree. They love the suet pieces and dried mealworms in my bird food. As for the nesting - probably not. It would be possible to attach a nest box suitable for robins to your tree once it is mature.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • deadendwaterfalldeadendwaterfall Posts: 70
    Ladybird4 said:
    Are you meaning that robins will eat the berries or that they will nest in the tree? They are mainly insectivores but will eat fruit and seeds so may visit your tree. They love the suet pieces and dried mealworms in my bird food. As for the nesting - probably not. It would be possible to attach a nest box suitable for robins to your tree once it is mature.
    I mean will they likely eat the berries. 
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    They won't eat them as readily as blackbirds will as their preference is for insects.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
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