Ladybirds

Half-cocked

I haven't seen a single Ladybird in our area this year. Is anyone else noticing a lack of them?

splish

I posted some pics of ladybirds yesterday which account for most of my sightings this year. I've seen some 7 spots too but not as much as recent years. There is an article in the Telegraph today about their decline this year in the UK which would apply to Irish populations aswell.

7 spot

fleabag

I've seen more ladybirds this year than in several previous years. This is in Co. Limerick. Last week I saw 5 on one hogweed plant, think they were feeding on the blackfly. During the hot weather I noticed loads of greenfly around and think this might account for the increased numbers of ladybirds. I'm delighted to have seen so many, I remember as a child they'd seemed to be everywhere. Took a couple of photos too which I shall try and put up.

greedygoblin

Saved one from drowning in a pool of water earlier on. Other than that I haven't noticed too many of them about the place at all.

fleabag

A camera shy Limerick ladybird.

Mothman

Huge numbers of 7-spot this year, been many a year since I've seen them so abundant.

Of course still a minute number compared to the plague in 76

TheChizler

Found a load of ladybird eggs on a salad leaf in my dinner plate the other day, they're definitely around!

periodictable

Many about this year.
Noticed in particular they seem to have a preference for downy birch leaves over silver birch leaves-wondering if this was due to the hairs of the downy birch trapping pollen or mildew?

Half-cocked

So plenty of them around. Seems there absence from our area is a local problem then:mad:

Was on a friends farm over the weekend and it was swarming with ladybirds.

Woodville56

Half-cocked wrote: »

I haven't seen a single Ladybird in our area this year. Is anyone else noticing a lack of them?

Seeing quite a few 7 spot Ladybirds round these parts in past few days - seen to have an affinity with nettles as that's where most seen here (north midlands)

shawnee

Friend found one on her clothes line yesterday , have transferred him to my garden , they are beautiful creatures.

Desmo

Had a 2 spot on a coffee table outdoors in UCD today.

thegreatgonzo

Plenty of ladybirds in east Galway anyway. I haven't been counting the spots but I have seen more this year than I have for a long time.

inabina

I was about to start a thread commenting on the incredible number of ladybirds in north Wexford by the sea this year. I am finding it hard to avoid standing on them, they are all over the grass....any ideas why we have so many???

Ted_YNWA

inabina wrote: »

I was about to start a thread commenting on the incredible number of ladybirds in north Wexford by the sea this year. I am finding it hard to avoid standing on them, they are all over the grass....any ideas why we have so many???

Noticed the same, loads of them everywhere. 100's of them every couple of yards. Wexford town is full of them, wouldnt have thought there would be a lot of food for them in a town.

nursejane

There are literally thousands lining the streets of wexford. An invasion!

elfy4eva

If any other beetle landed on me i'd
be flailing around in panic, dunno
why ladybirds don't do the same!

Love em!!

Birdnuts

nursejane wrote: »

There are literally thousands lining the streets of wexford. An invasion!

Just got off the blower to the brother in law - massive swarms by the coast just outside Wicklow Town too. Something is definatly up!!

Ted_YNWA

Birdnuts wrote: »

Just got off the blower to the brother in law - massive swarms by the coast just outside Wicklow Town too. Something is definatly up!!

Wonder if there is any old wives tales about them.

If theres a lot of holly berries out ..... sign of cold winter .. and the likes.

slowburner

Birdnuts wrote: »

Just got off the blower to the brother in law - massive swarms by the coast just outside Wicklow Town too. Something is definatly up!!

Conditions are not dissimilar to the summer of 1976 mentioned by Mothman above.
They became a nuisance. I distinctly remember being surprised that they bite!

paulmclaughlin

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057020886

Check out this thread for ladybird's galore!

kylith

Jesus lads. I think we'd better let the Hebrews go, this plague of ladybirds is getting out of hand.

I'm guessing it has something to do with the hot spell followed by the warm, wet weather.

Birdnuts

kylith wrote: »

Jesus lads. I think we'd better let the Hebrews go, this plague of ladybirds is getting out of hand.

I'm guessing it has something to do with the hot spell followed by the warm, wet weather.

More and more turning up outside my office near Rathcoole in the last few days too.

slowburner

Birdnuts wrote: »

More and more turning up outside my office near Rathcoole in the last few days too.

...and the numbers have dwindled on the east coast since yesterday. Do they migrate inland?

whyulittle

Spotted this on Twitter today. :eek:

https://twitter.com/philipnolan1/status/370234426535313408

Outkast_IRE

Spotted lots in cork city the last week.

Not the invasion numbers that are being shown, but put it this way if your walking through a field and pay attention you cant go a few steps without spotting some.