Ladybird shortage

Gardening to 'grow your own food' from square foot to half an acre !!
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Richard
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Ladybird shortage

Post by Richard »

Bit of a wildlife question as well this one.

I haven't any Ladybirds to help me with blackfly this year but saw loads on some nettles up the Lane.

Is it right to collect a few and transport them to my place, don't know if they're communal etc.
Would hate it if I spoilt any eco-system.

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lancashire lass
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Re: Ladybird shortage

Post by lancashire lass »

actually, you might be doing them a favour by moving some on to your garden - ladybirds are predators (of aphids) and although there doesn't seem to be a shortage of those, a population of ladybirds might "starve" (although unlikely as they have wings to fly elsewhere LOL)
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Richard
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Re: Ladybird shortage

Post by Richard »

Good point lassie, thank you.

To be fair, they're on the verge of the main road. Not they're going to get run over but I'm sure they'd prefer the Runner Beans in my Garden !!

The sacrificial Nasturtiums are more or less sacrificed now )t'

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billnorfolk
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Re: Ladybird shortage

Post by billnorfolk »

There are companies that breed and sell Ladybirds just for that purpose ,but importing your own is a lot cheaper .If they were to get fed up with your garden i am sure they would soon fly back from whence they came ,if you have a good food supply for them reckon they will stay and much more eco friendly than sprays )like(
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Richard
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Re: Ladybird shortage

Post by Richard »

Thank you Bill, they were (I've brought some down) about 200 meters away.

At least they haven't the traffic of the A28 going past them now )t'

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tosca100
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Re: Ladybird shortage

Post by tosca100 »

Unfortunately there are good guys and bad guys, and if you bring in the wrong ladybirds they will eat the native ones. Some halequin ladybirds look traditional, but though they do eat aphids, they also eat other insects and larvae, including native ladybirds. Have a bowse on gurgle
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Richard
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Re: Ladybird shortage

Post by Richard »

When it's stopped raining I'll count the spots on one, easier to identify then.



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Mo
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Re: Ladybird shortage

Post by Mo »

Amazing variety of ladybird species with all sorts of spot numbers. Red w black spots, Black with red spots, Yellow with black spots etc. 5 spot, 11 spot etc. Here they are
I get all sorts.
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