Two weeks ago I declared my love for longhorn beetles - well today I thought I'd share a bit more love for another of my favourite beetle Families, the Coccinellidae, better known as ladybirds. 53 species of ladybird have been recorded in the UK (Duff, 2012) and in fact many of these don't look at all like ladybirds.
Many people will be familiar with the common and widespread 7-spot ladybird, or Coccinella septempunctata, to give it it's scientific name. Indeed this is one of the most common ladybird species in the UK, feeding on aphids, they are associated with many species of herbaceous plants, but did you know that despite their name, they can have anywhere between 0 and 9 spots?
Here are a few less well-known species to look out for, many of which can be found (or could potentially be found) at Langford, with many thanks to Charlie Barnes for the excellent photos and the UK Ladybird Survey for some of the info....
The eyed ladybird, or Anatis ocellata is a beautiful species and is the largest native ladybird in the UK at up to 8.5mm in length. They are aphid feeders and are associated with conifers, mostly pine species. The eyed ladybird can have anywhere between 0 and 23 spots.
The cream spot ladybird is a recent addition to the Langford list. Also known as Calvia quattuordecimguttata, they can be up to 5mm in length, feed on aphids and psyllids (jumping plant lice) and are assiciated with a wide variety of deciduous tree and shrub species found in woodlands and hedgerows. This species always has 14 spots and indeed the scientific name does suggest this - quattuordecimguttata = 14-spotted.
The 11-spot ladybird, or Coccinella undecimpunctata is another small species at up to 5mm in length. Another aphid feeder, it can be found on a wide variety of plant species in a wide variety of habitats. They do however, have a strong association with sand dune systems. The 11-spot ladybird can have anywhere between 7-11 spots.
One of my personal favourites is the Adonis' ladybird, or Hippodamia variegata. This species can be found feeding on aphids on a wide variety of herbaceous plants on well drained soils. They can have anywhere between 3 and 15 spots, the majority of which can often, but not always, be clustered towards the rear of the elytra (wing cases). A small species at up to 5mm in length, their population has expanded northwards in recent years.
The striped ladybird, or Myzia oblongoguttata is a larger species at up top 8mm in length and is associated with Scot's pines (Pinus sylvestris). They feed on aphids and can have anywhere between 0 - 15 spots, but as the name suggests, are have stripes.
Very similar in appearance to the familiar 7-spot ladybird is the scarce 7-spot ladybird, or Coccinella magnifica. This species has a close association with ants of the Genus Formica and are never found far from nests of such species. A large ladybird at up to 8mm in length, they have a southerly distribution, feed on aphids and are best distinguished from their commoner cousins by the presence of white triangular shaped markings just behind the middle and the hind legs, unlike in 7-spots where the white markings are only behind the middle pair of legs.
And the final photo, this is a 7-spot ladybird that has been parasitised by a species of braconid wasp known as Dinocampus coccinellae. The female wasp lays it's eggs in the soft underside of a female ladybird. After around 6-7 days, the egg hatches and begin feeding on the ladybirds eggs and tissues. The larva continues to feed inside the live ladybird for up to a month, at which point the larva paralyses the ladybird, burrows out of it's body and pupates on the underside of the ladybird. It is this pupa that you see in the picture below underneath the bottom ladybird. After about a month, the imago (adult) wasp emerges from the pupa. A fascinating lifecycle!
Other Langford species that you may come across include the -
And the non-native harlequin ladybird, or Harmonia axyridis. This species has only been in the UK since 2004 and originates in Asia. Since it's introduction in south-east England, it has spread throughout most of England and into Wales and Scotland. They are predators and feed most commonly on aphids, but will take a wide range of other isnects, including other ladybirds. They have a wide ranging appearance which includes a red or black base colour with either black or red spots, ranging in number from 0-21. At up to 8mm in length, they are a large species.