Forest destruction in Europe

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Ladybirds hoovering up the aphids

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Ladybirds are out in the garden today in abundance! The warm and sunny weather has made them very active as they forage for their food, primarily aphids (greenfly). Their role in reducing this pest has led to them being given the moniker 'Gardener's friend'.  They are in fact beetles ( and in common with others, have six legs, biting mouthparts and a hard elytra (forewing).

These are common 7 spot ladybirds.  There are 48 British species, with a varying number of spots. 

Ladybirds usually mate in May, producing larvae which then pupate.  

Harlequin ladybirds have been introduced from abroad since the 2004. They are an invasive species which threaten to outcompete the Native species.  Monitoring of species is numbers and distribution is carried out by the investigative techniques of beating or sweep net. 

Another interesting fact about the Harlequin ladybird is that it carries a bacterium that kills males, so there is an unusual sex ratio in these ladybirds.