Just an observation

[Oinkoink]

Ladybirds huddling winter’s not far away

 

[VXman]

Bit nicer than the stink bugs that keep appearing in our van since we came across a load a month ago.

 

[the1andonly]

Reminds me of 1976 and a plague of them in Lincoln.

 

[andyelbac]

As VXman said, doesn't freak me out like a lot of other insects. Is that because ladybirds have always been spoken of in literature and on screen in a positive way and the fact they are seen as pretty, quiet harmless and in many ways beneficial? Unfair to a lot of other insects I guess but certainly would rather have them in the MH than flies.

 

[Nanniemate]

As VXman said, doesn't freak me out like a lot of other insects. Is that because ladybirds have always been spoken of in literature and on screen in a positive way and the fact they are seen as pretty, quiet harmless and in many ways beneficial? Unfair to a lot of other insects I guess but certainly would rather have them in the MH than flies.

Are they not just flies with armour

They do bite I believe . Off to check Google

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[dryad]

curious as to their method of communication to gather like this..
is it sound or scent..

rarely see more than a few in the garden here but lovely to see and know they are there doing their useful job for us..

.

 

[cyberyacht]

Are they not just flies with armour

They do bite I believe . Off to check Google

They do. Noticeable but not excruciating. We had a swarm of them on the beach at St Palais sur Mer many moons ago.

 

[charliesgrandad]

Reminds me of 1976 and a plague of them in Lincoln.

I was running a building project employing 24 people that year in Grimsby and one day it was so bad I had to send everyone home as it was too dangerous to work they were all over people

 

[Go_buddy_go_]

Are they not just flies with armour

They do bite I believe . Off to check Google

Always bite me!

 

[repairer]

Bit nicer than the stink bugs that keep appearing in our van since we came across a load a month ago.

Still finding them in our van over a month since we got back.

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[Millcourt]

Be grateful they are not Bed Bugs!

 

[Figaro]

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Ladybirds huddling winter’s not far away

I think they are a non native invasive species, I don't think English ladybirds congregate in numbers like that.
I had them over wintering in our house window frames a few years ago.

I think I've got rid of the stink bugs from SW France now though, not found any for two weeks

 

[L' Hobo]

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Ladybirds huddling winter’s not far away

Now you have to put your van into a warm garage so the frost cannot get to them.

 

[L' Hobo]

I think they are a non native invasive species, I don't think English ladybirds congregate in numbers like that.
I had them over wintering in our house window frames a few years ago.

I think I've got rid of the stink bugs from SW France now though, not found any for two weeks

Must admit, never seen that many together in UK before?

 

[The Old Man]

They do bite I believe

They do and I don't think it hurt that much but it was more the shock!

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[Dorwyn]

Bit nicer than the stink bugs that keep appearing in our van since we came across a load a month ago.he

We got rid of all of our stink bugs after our major battery locker infestation. Just the odd dead or rotting bug comes to light. There was one on the outer front of the awning which fell on me as I opened up the other day. So that French moustique spray did a good job.

 

[gus-lopez]

They do bite I believe

Yes they do.They have a habit of landing in the swimming pool, & float about .when they come across you they bite you.

 

[WillH]

They bite alright, we were on a beach in Brittany years ago when thousands of them descended on us. Never seen a beach empty so fast.

 

[Oinkoink]

Must admit, never seen that many together in UK before?

Do non-native harlequin ladybirds interfere with how native species feed? - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

www.gwct.org.uk

If anyone is interested in learning about ladybirds. I would think all those on the van were harlequin, we get large clumps of them in certain buildings each year. Those were brushed (carefully) into a dustpan and told to go elsewhere

 

[Joethejoiner]

As VXman said, doesn't freak me out like a lot of other insects. Is that because ladybirds have always been spoken of in literature and on screen in a positive way and the fact they are seen as pretty, quiet harmless and in many ways beneficial? Unfair to a lot of other insects I guess but certainly would rather have them in the MH than flies.

Yes I'm sure there is a nursery rhyme about them . Also was there not a manufacturer of children's clothes called Ladybird ?

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[POH]

Yes I'm sure there is a nursery rhyme about them . Also was there not a manufacturer of children's clothes called Ladybird ?

woolworths

 

[L' Hobo]

Yes I'm sure there is a nursery rhyme about them . Also was there not a manufacturer of children's clothes called Ladybird ?

Might you be thinking of books?

 

[Joethejoiner]

Might you be thinking of books?

Forgot about them but clothes too

 

[Libellula]

I remember the plague of them in 76 I think. Beware they can bite!

 

[Squeak]

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Ladybirds huddling winter’s not far away

I've been inundated with cluster flys, mainly under the front screen cover & around the windows. Occasionally they have got in the van via the fridge vents but thankfully they've not found that as a favourite place

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[bellabee]

Forgot about them but clothes too

Yes. My mum used to buy me Ladybird clothes .

 

[Libellula]

And I expect you had the books to go with them too!

 

[Rocking Rivet]

Ladybird books were printed in Loughborough in the 70s
64 pages all on one sheet of paper

 

[Northernraider]

Are they not just flies with armour

They do bite I believe . Off to check Google

Yes they do bite . I've been bitten by ladybugs

 

[Fidge]

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Ladybirds huddling winter’s not far away

Same happened to us a couple of years ago and it was months before we finally got rid of them. They're pretty but they bite too!