Talkback: Rare ladybirds
in Talkback
I do love ladybirds. There used to be millions of them in Oxford when I was a kid.
Seems I never see them at all these days, mind you, I live in North now.
Seems I never see them at all these days, mind you, I live in North now.
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It's no use persecuting the newcomer harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis. It is firmly established here. Only do something if it starts causing a nuisance by coming indoors.
Reply to Jayven
If hibernating ladybirds are roused prematurely indoors, often by central heating, catch them and release them into the shed, greenhouse or woodpile. They should quickly settle down again and appear at the right time in spring.
Start with a cheap hand lens. This is the one I recommended for BBC Wildlife:
http://www.theloupestore.co.uk/Hand-Lenses/Magnifiers-Triplet/Loupe.html
A relatively simple stereo microscope is best for looking at insects. x10 and x 30 are perfect.
A simple scope is at:
http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/stereo-tour.html
have a look at the budget and non-zoom ranges. You'll need an adapter to put your camera on the eye-piece.
These are only good for looking at dead specimens. For live photographs you should choose a macro lens, and maybe extra flash guns....the range now is enormous.
Good luck