Well-spotted


Last summer, I listed the 4 ladybirds species that I spotted in my back garden. It looks like the  2020 list (so far) will be just the same 4 species.

The little creature pictured above is a 10-spotted ladybird (Adalia decempunctata). I found it clinging to my rucksack just after I’d returned for a stroll in nearby Terryland Park, so it might have originated there (though I did find one in my front garden last year).

Last month, I spotted a 14-spot ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata) hiding among a clump of nasturtiums.  I’ve only seen this speciment once – the day I  took this picture.

I’ve seen more of the 2-spot ladybirds  in the garden (including back in May this year) and quite a few 7-spots (though I haven’t taken any pictures of them – starting to take them for granted). The picture below is of a 7-spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) , taken in Rusheen Bay Park soon after it re-opened last month. I need to keep looking.