Harlequin ladybirds

[NSB]

I look out for Harlequins and have decided I cant tell them from our native ladybirds - but I have seen some lady brid larvae on my runner beans yesterday , just checked on the website and they are definately harlequin larvae.

What to do now do I squish them or leave them? What would you do?

[Two_Sheds]

The last advice I read was to leave them alone.

[seasprout]

Harlequin ladybirds eat Aphids, lots in fact. However when that food source runs out, they can and do eat our native ladybirds.

The environment agency advices that people leave all ladybirds alone as more native ladybirds are killed as a result of mistaken identity.

I'm of a mind that Grey Squirrels are more damaging to our environment than the Harlequin is.