Page 1 of 1
Not Butterflies, But What Is Going On Here?
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2019 10:11 pm
by Paul Harfield
When cutting things back in the garden I like to have a rummage to see what lurks, rather than chucking the chaff straight on the bonfire, compost heap or taking straight to the tip. I imagine most of us are that way inclined. Today was such a day whilst cutting back some potted Blackthorn which had got too big, a few bits came to light:
![P1190501.JPG (635.91 KiB) Viewed 805 times A pair of ladybirds in cop which I have not seen before, nothing unusual in that. However, the male and female are entirely different in appearance. Is this male and female showing dimorphism? or is it a pairing between different species? What is going on?](./files/thumb_11661_b979a5e7f20c4fadf2f91cbc0aee30d2)
- A pair of ladybirds in cop which I have not seen before, nothing unusual in that. However, the male and female are entirely different in appearance. Is this male and female showing dimorphism? or is it a pairing between different species? What is going on?
![P1190534.JPG (411.04 KiB) Viewed 805 times Also several leaves with similar groups of eggs which look very butterfly like, but are obviously something else entirely. Any ideas what they are?](./files/thumb_11661_66ecddfbf6817963def28c76b799af92)
- Also several leaves with similar groups of eggs which look very butterfly like, but are obviously something else entirely. Any ideas what they are?
Re: Not Butterflies, But What Is Going On Here?
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2019 10:25 pm
by bugboy
I think those ladybirds are the Harlequin Ladybird, a highly variable species. The eggs are ladybird eggs from the look of it too
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Re: Not Butterflies, But What Is Going On Here?
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2019 10:43 pm
by David M
Harlequin Ladybird it is! Just been reading about this incredibly variable species and it seems it is an invasive pest in the UK:
https://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs-and-hab ... n-ladybird