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Anyone seen any ladybirds?

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  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457

    My ancient apple was buzzing with something but can't confirm it was bees because it's a way up there (no chance of picking apples off it unless you climb on the shed!).

    I've got some pretty nasty infestations of greenfly on roses and blackfly on ivy and, first time I've ever seen it, on golden feverfew (that looks ugly!!).

    As far as the ladybirds, like others, the only ones I've seen so far have dropped out of the door jambs in the conservatory - they looked dead at the end of winter image

  • mollismollis Posts: 151

    Very few ladybirds here, lots of aphids so hope they arrive soon. The temps have really been up and down. Lots and lots of bees on the Cotoneaster though.

  • Louise BLouise B Posts: 81

    I had loads of ladybirds back in March when it was warm but none since. I've not seen any aphids either though... Hardly any bees image

    Random question but are there any insect breeders for solitary bees or ladybirds etc? I was hoping for a more direct approach to increasing the populations in my garden as I'm trying my damnedest to provide a nice habitat for them.

     

     

  • maureen60maureen60 Posts: 193

    yes, saw first ladybirds about 6 weeks ago, may have been harlequin, but saw a 4 spotted yesterday.

    im in manchester

  • Tropical SamTropical Sam Posts: 1,488

    Still seeing loads of Ladybirds, or Ladybugs as my kids like to call them. I also found some Red Lily Beetles in my garden for the first time.image

  • I haven't seen any since Feb/March time as someone else has said.  I too seem to be getting a lot of aphids already, my home grown basil on the kitchen windowsill is covered in greenfly .......doesn't affect the taste of our pesto though but no good for vegetarians  image

  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237

    Are ladybirds like over-wintering butterflies in that the hibernated adults mate and then die so at the moment we are waiting for the new generation to emerge? I usually find that I have quite a lot of aphids at this time of year but the ladybirds get the better of them later on.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    I must be in a minority - I've seen more ladybirds in the last couple of months than I've seen in years image

    There's loads congregating on parts of my blackthorn hedge. I recently had one on each of my three vernicosa Hebes which I have in large pots. No aphids anywhere really but I've also stopped growing lots of stuff that's susceptible  which probably helps.

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • NattygirlNattygirl Posts: 21
    They should have been feeding in april, mating in may and then after immature stage newly emerging in august. http://www.ladybird-survey.org/lifecycle.aspx
  • HeftyHefty Posts: 370
    Not seen any yet image plenty of pests tho......
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