Loads of ladybirds about in the last two weeks

[catbasket]

We've noticed loads of ladybirds in our south facing front garden in the last couple of weeks - on the plants, on the wall and on the bay window. We're novices at wildlife gardening and were wondering if it's usual to see a lot of ladybirds at this time of year? We've never seen them around like this in previous years.

Most have been like this one -


... but there have been a few which are mostly black with one red spot on each wing case. No pics of these - they wouldn't stay still long enough

[Jeanied]

These are all harlequin ladybirds - Autumnwatch had a little feature on them - look for the black M shape at the back of the head. They may be gathering to find a nice warm place to spend the winter - apparently they cluster together over the winter to hibernate. They will come in handy next year when the aphids start munching.

[Reb Williams]

If you have old window frames (like I used to) they will bed down inside the frames, and suddenly pop out at odd times. Kind of nice.

Reb
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[Two_Sheds]

I've had a lot too: they keep falling in the water butts, daft things.

Quite a few wasps around too