[cAnAry53]

what a glorious afternoon on the plot,only one up there so really peaceful.just having a cup of coffee and looking around never seen so many ladybirds before must have been a couple of hundred on strawberries and on wooden edges of path,and a pair of frogs calling to each other,so looking good for the ongoing battle with aphids and slugs.

[mattwragg94]

hmmmm its seems very early in the season for them, i can remember seeing hundreds of them in may though (last year)

[cindyfurse]

We spent a glorious few hours at our lottie today and also noticed an incredible amount of ladybirds. I am hoping it's a sign of a good summer!

[GrowinGrowinGone]

Seen some Ladybirds about yesterday on my visit to the plot, and bumblebee's.  I say Bumblebee, i'm no bee expert, but they looked like bumblebee's.

[DD.]

Our Jasmine bush was covered in them yesterday.

[Headgardener22]

Does anyone know if Harlequin Beetles disguise themselves as 7 spot? We've had a "glut" of what look like 7-spot ladybirds with a few Harlequins mixed in and I wondered if they were all really Harlequin. Don't ever remember seeing so many so soon.

Also I found lots of clusters of ladybirds in sheltered spots around the garden 15 or 20 gathered together in a sheltered spot.

[savbo]

Does anyone know if Harlequin Beetles disguise themselves as 7 spot? We've had a "glut" of what look like 7-spot ladybirds with a few Harlequins mixed in and I wondered if they were all really Harlequin....

according to this brill site, if it's got 7 spots it's not Harlequin...
http://www.harlequin-survey.org/recognition_and_distinction.htm

We still haven't found one yet...

[Headgardener22]

Then we've got an awful lot of 7-spot ladybirds. I've been out digging today and moved 20 or more into the polytunnel to have a go at the greenfly that are on the overwintered lettuces.