I reported the sighting to the harlequin survey. I took a couple of photos with my mobile phone for id purposes and left the ladybird where I found it. There was possibly a harlequin ladybird larva at Mill End about a week ago as well. Is there any evidence that these are as damaging to Uk ladybird species as is feared?
Quite amazing really as the first sighting was in 2004 and now they are most definitely here.
The truth regarding whether they are damaging to our native species is like most environmental issues....muddy!
I guess the facts are that the 1) Have less natural predators as they have a very potent defensive smell that is far stronger than any native species 2) They eat a lot more than native species including butterfly and moth eggs and larvae as well as many beneficial insects. 3) Looking at studies in other countries it is claimed that the introduction of this species coincided with a large decline in native species (America 22 years ago)
I guess it's another "act before it's to hard to stop" or "wait to see what happens"......I mean can you imagine not seeing Little Owl if the first option was adhered to?
Personally I wonder about the amount of time and money given to things like this as look at all the talk about Japanese Knotweed.....and it's still here even though it's always talked about with the release of controlling insects etc.
What do you think is it a Grey Squirrel or Collared Dove story?
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Without knowing too much about these things I would imagine that in Rossendale it won't have a great impact on ladybird populations as we are not exactly over populated. Whether it will affect any other insect species I also don't know, but I cant see it being a terrible thing locally.
