Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Largely Ladybirds


There was a faint hint of hazy sunshine this morning, and over on the border covered in ivy, we found twelve tiny Pine Ladybirds and two 7-spots. Some were moving around; others were stationary. The ladybird in the top photo seems to have a significant dent on its elytra: I hope it can still fly. According to Bug Guide, this kind of damage usually occurs in the pupal phase of metamorphosis. I think you will be able to see the rim, so characteristic of Pine Ladybirds.




I think there may be at least one spider, probably four


I hope this means our Pine Ladybird population is on the increase!


Our first miniature Daffodil opened today!




We have had few birds at our feeders the last few days. We were having a mug of coffee this morning when I saw the reason why ... yes, a Sparrowhawk, perching on our back fence. We have sporadic visits (see here, for example), but this was a first sighting for 2021. Those of you who follow this blog will know that, unlike Chris Packham, these are not my favourite birds, though I acknowledge their highly efficient biological design! But I am really waiting for my first sighting of a butterfly ...

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5 comments:

  1. Crafty Green Poet24 February 2021 at 14:33

    lovely photos of your pine ladybirds Caroline! Yours seem to be more active than ours, though some of ours are occasionally waking from hibernation to take a wee walk

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  2. Ragged Robin24 February 2021 at 17:35

    Lovely photos and so good to see native ladybirds! All I have seen here are Harlequins :( Nice to see daffodils about to flower too :) I haven't seen a butterfly yet either or a bumble bee!

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  3. Caroline Gill24 February 2021 at 19:28

    Thank you, CGP and RR, for your kind comments. No Harlequins seen here yet; and, CGP, I guess you may be a few days behind us. Our ladybirds have found very sheltered spots in which to walk about.

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  4. Amanda Peters25 February 2021 at 06:35

    Lovely to see you have so many Pine ladybirds, one I have not recorded as far as I know as the Harlequin ladybird can have very similar markings, will have to take a closer look.

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  5. Caroline Gill28 February 2021 at 14:41

    Thank you, Amanda, for your kind comment. The pine ones are much smaller than the harlequins. They have black heads and that rim round the elytra. I'm not sure why we always have a fair sprinkling of them, but perhaps it's due to our evergreens, leaf litter and hawthorn tree.

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