Finally zillions of hover flies and ladybirds

[reetnproper]

Well I guess the local hoverflies and ladybirds must have had a busier time than I though in terms of breeding because today my garden is alive with vast numbers of what I am assuming are newly/recently hatched hoverflies and ladybirds .

I have never seen this number of either species at the same time before and virtually all traces of aphids have, mercifully, disappeared so I'm guessing they've been well and trully munched on over the last few weeks. So nice to see so many garden friends flitting about

Reet
x

[binley100]

We are having a hoverflie invasion , never seen so many different sorts queing up to get into various flowers......only downside is am getting fed up with fishing them out of my drinks.

[HeyWayne]

Noticed an abundance of ladybirds recently - there were tonnes on my allotment last weekend.

[Shadylane]

We seem to have more than ever this year (of both). I noticed today the blackfly had been more or less cleared - they've moved on to the brassicas now, which is good seeing as I spotted some mealy bug or something equally disgusting on them - uckk. I keep having to rescue the ladybirds from the water butts though - and wasps. The way I see it if I rescue them then maybe they'll tell their mates not to sting me

[Two_Sheds]

What I noticed today in abundance were cabbage whites ~ not seen more than one or two all year, and today there were dozens

[Potstubsdustbins]

This must be pretty general throughout the country.

Like 2Sheds I have noticed an increase in the numbers of cabbage whites over the past week.

This year so far, touch wood and all that, I have not had to get the insecticide out as we have loads of ladybirds and hoverfly.

Colin

[Two_Sheds]

I have not had to get the insecticide out as we have loads of ladybirds and hoverfly

God bless the natural balance

[j r hilton]

My greenhouse is full of hover flies, never seen anything like it. I hope its good because something has been eating a lot of my chillies. I have also noticed an increase in cabbage whites and have had to keep a good eye on my brassicas.

[Gearoid]

I was at my parents' garden this weekend and there were masses of ladybirds. Each time I tried to do any weeding, my arms were crawling with them.

[Florence Fennel]

Wish I'd got that here Gearoid. I found two yesterday and put them in my little stayput greenhouse. I too have seen an increase in the hoverflies thank goodness, but also like Two Sheds I had only seen a couple of cabbage whites until today and there are now loads of them.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Re Cabbage Whites I decided to have a bit of a google and came up with the following.

They have two brood times a year first is May/June, second is yes you guessed it August.

Not only that but the buggers migrate from the continent (nice comments only please).

Colin

[Helgalush]

I've noticed a significant increase in the number of ladybirds in my garden just over the last week. At the weekend I counted 12 7-spot ladybirds in one go - bearing in mind my garden is the size of a postage stamp, I think thats pretty cool!

[mrbadexample]

Many, many hover flies here too, with a good few ladybirds thrown in for good measure.

[hamsterhead]

Loads and loads of hover flies here as well. They just love all of my lillies and hanging basket flowers. I just wish I could grow veg as well as I'm growing flowers.

[Two_Sheds]

something has been eating a lot of my chillies.

That will be a little caterpillar (possibly dozens of them). Have a good look under all the leaves