Deficit of lady birds

[nerobot]

Only seen two ladybirds this year. Lots of butterflies.

[markwcel]

we were just talking about this at the weekend and havent seen a single ladybird this year, last year wasnt as many either, but the year before was thousands....apparantly they only come out in force when theres a good summer coming......something to think about

[sewer rat]

I had thousands of ladybirds and their larvae last year and this year I was beginning to wonder where they had all gone, but about a month ago, there seemed to be a population explosion and now I can hardly take a step without seeing at least a dozen - and that's throughout the 5 acres, not just certain areas or crops.

[sharonr]

I found one yesterday on a stinging nettle. Thats all I`ve seen.

[squashytomato]

ive had loads of ladybirds but a lot more cabbage white and flea beetle !

[Alice]

Been very short so far but today I saw 3.

[lynda66]

I've still only seen the one but loads of bumble bees, and fruit flies and a few cabbage whites..... not much else though, i'm wondering if it's partly down to them digging up the waste ground at the back, and removing the trees and undergrowth, that can't have done the populations much good round here i guess.

[Tracey]

I've not seen any ladybirds this year either. Hopefully TwoShed and Rats Ladybird population explosion may predict an Indian Summer?

[Two_Sheds]

I've not seen any ladybirds this year either. Hopefully TwoShed and Rats Ladybird population explosion may predict an Indian Summer?

I can't speak for Rat, but I think mine like my approach to bugs* ... don't annihilate all the aphids with Bug Spray, because the ladybirds need something to eat

* squish them with fingers if they get out of control, otherwise leave them be for the ladybirds to deal with, in the hope that Nature will find a balance of pest and predator

[blito]

only seen half a dozen or so all year here in lincoln. not too many butterflies either although plenty of bees and hoverflies and lots of ants.

[jackie j]

I have seen a few and one was on one of my sunflowers yesterday at the lottie

[Rhona]

I bought the larvae this year and we have a little house for them, so fingers crossed that will increase our population next year. Since this year's population seemed to be three or four, shouldn't be difficult...

[fitzilian]

last year we had a nest on our front door, so every time we went indoors a few would fly in... kept it up til windtertime... still finding little dead ones around the house...

this year though not had any....

[fruitynaga]

we had lots of ladybirds earlier in the summer - more than ever before but haven't seen any lately

we've got lots of hoverflies now so they're helping in the battle against the thousands of aphids etc we have throughout the garden

the pests have been particularly bad on the chillies this year so I'm thinking of getting a couple of those little plastic greenhouse for next year - leave them open for the predators to get in during the day and close them at night to protect the plants

[glut]

I have only seen one and it was a not a 7spotter. Does that mean it was a Harlequin and if so should I have squished it? (Midlands)