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(C) Colin Duke All Rights Reserved
2008 Classification
The Coccinellidae are found worldwide and an estimated 3500 species have been described .They are aprox 46 species of British Ladybird. Aprox 25 British ladybirds are in the beetle family Coccinellidae.These small beetles are medium to small sized 0.3 mm to 10 mm The headgenerally may is retract into the pronotum (the dorsal surface of the first thoracic segment)
Brief Social History
The Ladybird or Lady Bug in many cultures is a symbol of good fortune.The generic name or term "Ladybird" arises from the common 7-Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata). Our Lady's Bird, the Lady in this case being 'The Virgin Mary' from Christian Mythology. The red colour of the elytra is said to represent her cloak and the 7 black spots to represent the 'Virgins' 7 joys and 7 sorrows.
Biology
Coccinellids have often bright colours to warn away potential predators. This defense works because most predators associate bright colours (especially orange and black or yellow and black) with poison and other unpleasant properties. This phenomenon is called aposematism.
Additionally, as another means of protection, specimens of adult coccinellids are able to reflex-bleed hemolymph from the joints of leg joints, releasing an oily yellow toxin when handled roughly this substance has a strong repellent smell. Some species are migratory and form large aggregations during the migratory period.Species can form large colonies or aggregations when they go into hibernation in Winter.Diet
Most coccinellids feed on aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, and mites throughout the year such as the the most abundant of our British Ladybirds, the 7 Spot Ladybird and are therefore a great friend of the gardener eating large numbers of Aphids( Greenfly, Blackfly) most species are therefore beneficial to gardeners.Predatory ladybirds feeding on plants infested with aphids or scale insects usually lay their eggs near their prey, thereby increasing likelihood the larvae will find prey easily.
The 22 Spot Ladybird is unusual amongst ladybirds in that it eats fungi (mildew) on the soil surface or on low plants.The Orange Ladybird , like the 22-spot, this species is mycetophagous (fungus eating) and lives on the mildews of various trees. This is recognisable from underneath being one of the few species which is orange coloured ventrally as well as dorsally. The 24 Spot is also a vegetarian feeder
Life Cycle
The period of the life cycle varies depending upon temperature, humidity, and food supply. ManyLadybirds are univoltine (having one generation per year) but some, for example the 2 - Spot Ladybird and the 14-Spot Ladybird may be semivoltine (having 2 generations per year
Anatomy
Fig 1: Dorsal View of Ladybird
Fig 2: Ventral View of Ladybird Study
5-spot is found only in Welsh and Scottish estuaries on shingle edges and is very rare 13- Spot Ladybird extremely rare or thought to be extinct in the U.K. 14 Spot Ladybird Common with darkened midline darkened midline with 'spots' appearing usually square 2 - Spot Ladybird & 10 - Spot Ladybirds Easily confused due to the nature of their variations.
Recent reports describe infection by parasitic a wasp (Dinocampus coccinellae) of Scottish 7 - Spot Ladybirds. Ref 2
The Scarce 7 Spot has also developed a poorly described relationshio with the Wood Ant and is rarely recorded far from nests of Formica ants. The latter being distinguished from the 7 - Spot by an additional 2 - faint spots on the shoulder
Many of the ladybirds are adapted to living in tree habitats.
Following on from the Pine Ladybird is another tree dwelling species Striped Ladybird Myzia oblongoguttata.also is found on Scotts Pine Also almost always found on pine trees is the Eyed ladybird specifically the Scots Pine. Another tree-dwelling species the Larch Ladybird is commonly found on larch (Larix spp) trees, and on other conifers.Another Habitat specific Ladybird is Water Ladybird which lives by water, mainly on rushes. The Water, or 19- Spot Ladybird lives near to water and this species changes colour with the seasons , those before hibernation tendinfg to have a pink ground colour which will alter to orange in breeding adults after the hibernation period. The 24-Spot Ladybird feeds on vegetable matter including grasses and this species has a strong association with False Oat-grass. Records for the Cream-Streaked Ladybird indicate this species is a relatively recent arrival.
Invasive species
Of recent is the appearance of the Harlequin Ladybird also known as the Multivariate , Asian , or Japanese Ladybird Harmonia axyridis which appears to be rapidly colonising the UK, this introduced species of ladybird can outcompete and displace native coccinellids, becoming a pest in its own right.
TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF LADYBIRD
SPECIES SIZE BASE COLOUR No OF SPOTS MELANIC FORM LEG COLOUR HOST PLANT HABITAT COMMENT 2 Spot Ladybird 4 - 5 mm RED or BLACK
0 -16 Numerous, common, black forms BLACK
Spots are rather rectangular. 5 Spot Ladybird 4 - 5 mm RED 5 - 9 No BLACK various Unstable river shingle . 7 Spot Ladybird Scarce 7- Spot Ladybird 10 Spot ladybird 3.5 - 4.5 mm Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red, Brown, Purple or Black
0 - 15 Black,Various & common BROWN Deciduous trees and hedgerows
11 Spot ladybird 13 Spot Ladybird 14 Spot Ladybird 4 -14 BROWN Variou Varied 16 Spot Ladybird Cream- Streaked Ladybird 5 - 6 mm 4 -20 Rare Brown Conifer woodland Orange Ladybird 4.5 - 6mm Orange 12-16 Orange Deciduous trees 18 Spot Ladybird 22 Spot Ladybird` Water Ladybird Adonis' ladybird Eyed ladybird 7 - 8.5 mm Russet or Burgundy 0 - 23 Very Rare Needled conifers Cream Spot Ladybird Larch ladybird Kidney Spot Ladybird Heather Ladybird 3 - 4 mm Black 2 - 6 N/A Black Heather heathland, conifer scrub Pine ladybird 3 - 4.5 mm Black 2 - 4 Needled conifers, sallows and willows Striped ladybird Hieroglyphic Ladybird 24 Spot Ladybird Bryony ladybird Harlequinn Ladybird
References
1. Ladybirds , Majereus, Micheal & kearns, Peter - Naturalists Handbook No 10, 1989 ISBN 0 855 46 267 1 Paperback,. Richmond publishing. Slough England.
2. Parasitoid wasp threatens Scottish Seven Spot ladybird Bruce, Anne Micscape
3. Ladybirds M Majerus Harper Collins New Naturalist Series No 81 ISBN-10: 0002199351.
4. A Pocket Guide to the Ladybirds of Britain and Ireland. by Bryan J Pinchen (published by Forficula Books, 2005) ISBN 0 9549349 1 1
5. Ladybirds of Surrey by Roger D. Hawkins (published by Surrey Wildlife Trust, 2000) ISBN 0 9526065 5 0
6.Guide to ladybirds of the British Isles FSC Publication 2006, Michael Majerus Helen Roy, Peter Brown , Remy Ware, with illustrations by Chris Shields
7. Exell, A.W. (1991). The History of the Ladybird. 2nd edition. Erskine Press.
Other Articles In The Series By The Author
1. All About Hoverflies Hoverflies and Mirror
2. All About British Robberflies Robberflies
3. British Shield Bugs British Shieldbugs
4 British Butterflies British Butterflies and Mirror
5. Lens Cleaning Lens Cleaning and Mirror
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