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Harlequin Larva
Paul Iddon
Registered Users Posts: 5,129 Major grins
The harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) is invasive and destructive, introduced to the UK as a biological control, though their voracious appetite and the decline of the native ladybird has focused attention on them as a subject for control. Large numbers hibernate indoors and in wall cavities during cool winter weather, which doesn't help their cause.
Research on the contents of the guts of the harlequin larvae across Europe revealed the species, which mainly eats aphids, were also preying on other insects including 10-spot and 2-spot ladybirds. Once through the larval stage adult harlequins can have anything from 0 - 19 black spots which vary in size. If you find a black Harlequin it will usually have 4 red patches.
But even so, they will survive the winter in my garden (there were two almost together) - I don't like destroying any bugs...
This one is probably going to find a snug area deep in the mossy areas of what remains of my rockery...
Exif:
Copyright: Paul Iddon - A View of the UK
Camera: Canon EOS 70D
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Exposure: Manual exposure, 1/250 sec, f/10, ISO 125
Paul.
Research on the contents of the guts of the harlequin larvae across Europe revealed the species, which mainly eats aphids, were also preying on other insects including 10-spot and 2-spot ladybirds. Once through the larval stage adult harlequins can have anything from 0 - 19 black spots which vary in size. If you find a black Harlequin it will usually have 4 red patches.
But even so, they will survive the winter in my garden (there were two almost together) - I don't like destroying any bugs...
This one is probably going to find a snug area deep in the mossy areas of what remains of my rockery...
Exif:
Copyright: Paul Iddon - A View of the UK
Camera: Canon EOS 70D
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Exposure: Manual exposure, 1/250 sec, f/10, ISO 125
Paul.
0
Comments
Harold
Paul.
Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk
My Smugmug gallery
I know what you mean Ian - those blacks are always problematic - but these came out OK.
Paul.
Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk
Brian v.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
Paul.
Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk