First one..

[oetzi]

..for this year. Poor bugger wont last that long.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/Supercorsa/Marienkfer002.jpg

 

[moduser]

Funny you mention this.

I saw one on Sunday whilst attending an archery shoot in Bedfordshire.


Moduser

 

[Goose]

I still remember the invasion of them when I was a kid, that many it was like a carpet on the ground.
Don't know what was different that year though.

 

[Ketchup]

Lovely sight

Looks like a native septempunctata, this one. We do have invasions, but usually by American rogue (feral?) imported species introduced by the horticulture industry.

 

[ilovemybed]

Interesting - I saw a few at the start of february. They were camped out on the tyres of my car (which is having a rest as it is sick) and I never thought anything of it. I suppose they were trying to warm up in the sunshine

Not used to living this far south so i assumed it was normal for them to be out then. Isn't it?

 

[Toddy]

I found one a fortnight ago, and I'm in central Scotland. It looked quite happy too, I popped it in amongst the tangle of ivy, roses and honeysuckle along the back fence behind the pond....surely there's something there it can eat, and there must be somewhere it can find protection too.

http://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/ladybirdintro.htm

This isn't such good news though

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1525628,00.html

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[bloodline]

I think a bit of sunshine brings em out of hibernation, personally I would stay in till it warms up properly