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Aliens have landed

Pete.8Pete.8 Billericay, EssexPosts: 4,613
in Wildlife gardening

Such big eyes staring back at me took me by surprise.
Never seen one like this before

image

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Third rock from the sunPosts: 24,715

    I told her not to touch the vodka! Seriously, I hope you killed this ladybird as it is one of the latest invasive introduced pests that are killing our native ladybirds.

    Its a harlequin ladybird.

    Last edited: 18 August 2016 19:57:34

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • StillLearningStillLearning Posts: 206

    Think this one is a Harlequin image

    http://www.harlequin-survey.org/downloads/Ladybird%20descriptions_Info%20pack_NEW_v.5.pdf

  • ShepsSheps Posts: 828

    Just posted these in the Vine Weevil thread and thought I'd share them here.

    Not sure what species of Weevil he is, but I know he's not a Vine Weevil, he is about 4mm long and loves sitting on the Jasmine.

    image

    image

    Sorry for the poor quality pics, but at 4mm long he was very difficult to photograph.

    Sheps...image

    Last edited: 18 August 2016 20:20:31

  • ShepsSheps Posts: 828

    Sorry everyone, I thought I was posting in the Daily Wildlife Moments thread.

    Sheps...image

    Last edited: 18 August 2016 20:27:15

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Third rock from the sunPosts: 24,715

    Could it be the Strawberry Blossom weevil?

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Billericay, EssexPosts: 4,613

    That's ok Sheps - looks like we've both had a dubious wildlife moment today.

    Yes Ladybird it did match the harlequin. I had no idea! I'd heard that there were invasive species - I didn't expect to find one trundling over my pelargonium. Too dark to see now, but if I see it again it'll be - aster la vista, lady ;)

    Thanks StillLearning for the link

    Last edited: 18 August 2016 20:42:48

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 828

    Thanks Pete image

    It could be Strawberry Blossom Weevil, LB...maybe he couldn't find any strawberries and had to settle for Jasmine blossom image 

    Sheps...image

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Third rock from the sunPosts: 24,715

    He is quite cute!

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Billericay, EssexPosts: 4,613

    I've reported him on the ladybird survey.

    I'll keep my eye's peeled.

    Still - not long to Brexit then they'll have to go home image

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Sheffield, Derbyshire border.Posts: 6,936

    I may be wrong, but my understanding, gleaned I think from the British Ladybird people, is that you should not kill Harlequins, as they are very good at killing a number of pests, and in larger quantities than native ladybirds.

    I believe there is also evidence, that the native species is fighting back against the alien.

    You wouldn't know a diamond if you held it in your hand
    The things you think are precious, i don't understand
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