Anyone seen any ladybirds?
I was expecting to see some ladybirds by now as we had lots last years but haven't seen a single one yet and plants are being over run by blackfly ( and ants). We dont use pesticides but I'm wondering if neighbours do. I know ants protect blackfly from ladybirds but surely I'd see some flying about by now. Is it a low year?
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I've seen one inside (was rescued) and a yellow one and a few mutispot ones but no normal 7 spot ones
Not seen many - a few natives on the grapevine in March, and some Harlequins on the roses a couple of weeks ago. I think it's too chilly - they're still hiding and keeping warm.
We don't use insecticides and neither do any of the neighbours around us
I can't recall seeing any either Nattygirl
Remember two sightings since start of the year, both seven spots
No, I can't say I've been tripping over them. Funny because the window frames of the house were filled with them during the winter. I have seen a few of the funny little brownish yellow ones hiding in curled up plum leaves, presumably having a quiet snack on the aphids.
I'm more worried about the lack of bees, both bumble and honey. Normally the cotoneaster horizontalis is alive with them. This evening I saw one small bumblebee and one wasp on it.
However, the weather here has been awful for weeks, colder than usual, and wet and windier than normal. I think a few may have been unable to get out and feed and have pegged out.
I had dozens that woke up from hibernating in my shed. Seen none since then though.
Same for met Petrichor. Dripping out when we opened the French doors after winter and where did they go?
Marked lack of them here too. No aphids to mention either though, so perhaps it's a case of a 'foxes and rabbits' type population swing?