18 January 2013

Hibernating Harlequin

This very lightly marked Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) appeared in the house last night. I suspect it woke up from its hibernation in some pine cones that I brought into the house, which after drying out opened their scales liberating the beetle.
Although now recorded at sites throughout Glamorgan, in Gorseinon I've still only seen two individuals of this alien species that continues to spread across Wales.
Records of Harlequin Ladybird on MapMate 
a more frequently encountered form (c) Gareth Thomas

4 comments:

gareth thomas said...

Barry - you may be interested in this record for Harlequin that I am sending you on email with a photo.
It is from 19 March 2011 at Alveley, which is SS 42604 87009
Another red dot for your map?

Barry Stewart said...

Thanks Gareth, I'mll add it to the db

DRWG said...

Ba, what is record for the one at sea off west Gower?

Elen Richards said...

Barry - I had harlequin larvae in my veg patch last June. I'll email you the pics. Elen