Ladybirds - Where are they???

Roger · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:08 pm Post subject: Ladybirds - Where are they???

Hello,

is it just my garden or are the ladybirds extinct?? Every year we had quite a few around our garden, but this year even though the influx of greenfly has been "humongous" i have not seen one ladybird or their larvae around... what is going on?? i hope they're not suffering the same issues as bees!!
Or is it too early in the year for them to be about??? Please let me know if you have any already! Although that may mean that there's something wrong in my garden... Sad

Sive · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:41 pm Post subject:

Now that you mention it, I have only come across one while weeding these past few days....I'll keep you posted if I see any more!

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:35 pm Post subject:

I've only seen one or two myself, but my greenfly levels are almost non-existent as well so that's a bonus.
Lots and lots of Cuckoo spit though.

Liparis · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:42 pm Post subject:

Not a ladybird to be seen here, no bats this year either. There was always lots of bats other years. I put up bat boxes and none in the area.
Bill.

medieval knievel · Sessile Oak Tree Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 318

Roger · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:56 am Post subject:

Lucky for some that don't have much green fly Wink

I have quite a few roses and some broadbeans and they are really under attack!! Sad

But i'm going to use some of the tips mentioned on this site to fight back!! Twisted Evil

I also have a huge amount of cuckoo spit everywhere in the garden but i don't think they do too much damage... or do they??

Now, no ladybirds... and Liparis, yes our bats (which nest in our roof every year) are nowhere to be seen... although i'm pretty sure there was at least one around the garden in early spring. It's not like there aren't enough bugs this year... it's been one of the best years for wildlife in my garden...

What is going on??? Shocked

sharonl · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:17 am Post subject:

Saw three ladybird larvae crawling around my carrot bed over the weekend Very Happy

maybe they are just late this year.

sharon

paddy mac fisto · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:16 pm Post subject: Harlequin lady bird

Not sure if it's arrived in Ireland yet but the Harlequin ladybird is spreading across Europe. It's basically the grey squirrel of the ladybird world. It out-competes lots of native ladybirds. I counted 13 ladybirds in my garden last night so no shortage in Maynooth anyway. Lots of greenfly previously (all over the washing) but these are pretty much gone now with the arrival of our spotted little friends.

PolFeck · Hazel Tree Joined: 03 Jun 2009 Posts: 7 Location: wicklow

Down in south Wicklow... no shortage of ladybirds

also what i am finding every year is an increase in the amount of Catepillars. I wouldn't be an expert on these.

They vary from the black extremely hairy type that are found mainly on nettles to the small green vigerous types that love my young trees

So hence each year we have plenty of butterflies...

medieval knievel · Sessile Oak Tree Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 318

medieval knievel · Sessile Oak Tree Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 318

http://www.rte.ie/news/morningireland/player.html?20090630,2571557,2571557,real,209

you need realplayer to listen to it, unfortunately.

Sarah Evans · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject:

We bought lady birds from Mr Middleton and can't say I have seen them around since and we use no chemicals in the garden......

Garlicbreath · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:55 pm Post subject:

I've seen no ladybirds at all this year but then, pests and other insects seem to be in short supply too. Because of the cold winter I wonder?

walltoall · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:56 pm Post subject: ladybirds or the lack of them

None in my Essex garden currently and I've only seen a couple this year. We had a terribly cold and overcast January. But I've great infestations of blackfly this Summer. They're on broad beans, roses, ivy yes IVY, even on yarrow. As for the Harlequins, I've not seen them yet (the first sighting of a harlequin in the British Isles was in 2004 in Essex) but I'm watching for them. They are ok by me since wqe can't stop them anyway.

foxroxks · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:14 pm Post subject:

No sign of them here either. loads of bees though. Ive put in some plants to attract them and have just made some ladybird houses and placed near my trees and flowers so if the do turn up hopefully they'll decide to stay.