Ladybirds

At the end of the year there were several reports about how different species had fared.  At Foxglove, ladybirds, of which we have several different species, were noticeable by their absence.  There are one or two Seven Spot Ladybirds to be found now, hibernating amongst Gorse and Holly leaves.

The reason that they did not do well last summer was due to the lack of greenfly, their staple food.

This Larch Ladybird is very tiny.  It was quite happy sitting on the rail of one the bridges.  Its preferred hibernation site is bark crevices on conifers.