One of the world's most iconic garden bugs has got to be the Ladybird. She's a shiny, polka-dotted gem of a creature who - and this has to be her greatest asset...EATS APHIDS In the UK, we've currently got an onslaught of asian ladybirds too, known as Harlequins. Whilst they are a threat to our native species because they compete for the same food and will, when food is short, actually prey on the larvae of our own British ladybirds, if I see any ladybird I'm simply happy they might be chomping their way through those horrible sap-sucking greenfly.

Recognising the babies

Whilst the adult ladybird is pretty easily distinguished, it's important to know what the larvae looks like so you don't inadvertently kill it. Like many species, little ladybirds looking nothing like their elders. In fact, you might even think they look like little aphids!

A cluster of yellow ladybird eggs

Newly emerged ladybird larvae (black) starting to chomp on aphids

A ladybird chrysalis

Protect them!

I always think it's important to know what all lifecycle stages of animals look like, especially those that help us in the garden! I had actually pruned this piece of bramble off the main plant and it was only when I went to chop it up that I discovered the eggs and larvae. So instead of composting, I've laid it in the back of a border. The chopped foliage will shrivel and die but it'll give the ladybirds a chance to eat the aphids and then move on to new food sources...hopefully in MY garden instead of heading to the neighbours.

Thanks for reading,

Geoff

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