Ladybirds?

[Dorothy rouse]

I haven't seen any ladybirds this summer, what has happened to them? Has anyone else noticed their absence? Did they suffer in the cold winter maybe? I thought they helped by eating aphids?


DottyR

[veggiechicken]

I haven't seen any either and very few last year. The birds seem to be eating all the aphids here

[hellybore]

I seem to recall seeing one solitary ladybird earlier in the summer, but maybe it was a dream...

[Hazel at the Hill]

We have quite a few here, and the larvae are all scrunched up on the undersides of my brassicas, ready to hatch out.

[vikkib]

My sunflowers are being attacked by aphids and I've spotted a fair few ladybirds on them, happily munching away.

I've been collecting them and bringing them home and putting them in my greenhouse as I'd rather them munch the aphids on my chilli, cuke and tomato plants than the sunflowers!

[Two_Sheds]

I thought they helped by eating aphids?

They do, but other species are better at it: lacewings and hoverfly larvae, for eg.

I've been collecting them and bringing them home

That's a nice idea, but a waste of your time, because ladybirds won't visit a bit that another ladybug has already 'marked' and will just fly away.

If you find larvae, move them, because they can't fly away

[Two_Sheds]

My sunflowers are being attacked by aphids

Sunflowers should be too tough for aphids to feed on. Don't cosset your plants too much: don't feed sunflowers, and don't water them unless they're under stress (wilting).
Weak plants, and overfed ones are much more likely to attract aphids.

[PyreneesPlot]

ladybirds won't visit a bit that another ladybug has already 'marked' and will just fly away.

I didn't know that, but it explains a lot!

Hoverfly larvae can be quite hard to spot, especially when they are tiny - I tend to dunk everything like lettuces, pea shoots in a bowl of water before eating or cooking, and the larvae come to the surface from where they can be easily relocated.

[Verinda]

I have seen quite a few ladybirds this year, which is an improvement on previous years when I haven't seen any. They seem to like my carrot greens.

[vikkib]

Sunflowers should be too tough for aphids to feed on. Don't cosset your plants too much: don't feed sunflowers, and don't water them unless they're under stress (wilting).
Weak plants, and overfed ones are much more likely to attract aphids.

Well I certainly wouldn't consider these cosseted in any way shape or form they haven't been fed or watered since they went in, just left in the ground at the end of the plot to get on with it... maybe we have tougher aphids here in the wilds of Essex! ; )

Edit - pic of sunflowers : )

[vikkib]

That's a nice idea, but a waste of your time, because ladybirds won't visit a bit that another ladybug has already 'marked' and will just fly away.

How strange! I've been collecting 3 or 4 ladybirds from the same sunflower heads, they've been munching away right next to each other!

I'm coming to the conclusion that ladybirds in Essex are just a bit odd!

If you find larvae, move them, because they can't fly away

I've found a few of them and they've been bought home too! Glad to hear they won't be going anywhere quickly!

[Dorothy rouse]

How strange! I've been collecting 3 or 4 ladybirds from the same sunflower heads, they've been munching away right next to each other!

I'm coming to the conclusion that ladybirds in Essex are just a bit odd!



I've found a few of them and they've been bought home too! Glad to hear they won't be going anywhere quickly!

I think they've flown to Essex from Kent, that's why they are a bit odd, they're homesick!


DottyR

[leonmc0708]

I have seen loads this year, aleit only of late (last 3/4 weeks.

Seen some 7 and 10 spotters as well as an ORange, black (possibly Kidney) and an Orange one

[dogsbody]

Nope, lots earlier in the year but now? Not a one (and no aphids either...)

[ancee]

We've not had one or lacewings either very very odd. Lots of bees though