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Post by Harold Smith on Sept 13, 2016 13:26:58 GMT
I found quite a lot these on the leaves of my runner beans. They look like Ticks to me and one I looked at the mouth parts had gone through the leaf and appeared on the other side.   Can anyone put a name to them please? Harold. |
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Post by aeshna5 on Sept 13, 2016 16:43:13 GMT
You're way off Harold! They are pupae of Harlequin Ladybirds.
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Post by Harold Smith on Sept 13, 2016 19:05:26 GMT
You're way off Harold! They are pupae of Harlequin Ladybirds. Wasn't I just! Lots of Harlequins on my Runner Beans. Which is very worrying! Hoping it is not the demise of our native ones.   I have never seen a larvae scrunched up like that. No wonder I got it wrong. Any idea why it appeared to be eating the leaf? I always thought Ladybird larvae either ate Aphids or were cannibalistic. Thanks Aeshna5. Harold. |
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Post by aeshna5 on Sept 14, 2016 4:49:35 GMT
It's gone beyond being a larva + is a pupa where all the physiological changes occur for it to be a functional adult, so doesn't feed on anything at this stage. What you see is part of the attachment. At least the Harlequins will be doing you a favour demolishing those aphids.
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Post by Harold Smith on Sept 14, 2016 8:38:12 GMT
Thanks Aeshna5.
Was having 'Brain Dead' day. Had the eureka moment after I went to bed. I realised it wasn't eating the leaf it had fixed itself to the leaf to pupate.
They certainly do make short work of the aphids but they are pushing out our native species which is a shame. However, I did see a couple of 7 spots mating in another part of the garden the other day, so there is hope our native species will prevail.
Harold.
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