Back to the Ladybirds/Bugs - In strange company

[John 2]

Another one from yesterdays dog walk but I can't ID the yellow bug. The red bug is a seven Spot and I thought the other might be a youngster but the markings seem all wrong. The info on the WEB didn't help. Any ideas.

[Shadowman]

Nice.

[bnnrcn]

I like the image I have no idea about the yellow bug

[pnodrog]

Very colourful and good DOF. No idea what sort of ladybirds they are.

[IzzieK]

Nice shot. I am wondering why some call them ladybirds and here we call it ladybugs...??? Jack, any idea? Just want to know...

[Dave Humphries]

Nicely caught John,

I picked up an identifying card for these critters last weekend, so; before Geoff corrects me

I think these are a 14 spot (Propylea 14-punctata, or Propylea quatuordecimpunctata) - that's the yellow one - and a Seven spot (Coccinella 7-punctata).

A google of "Propylea 14-punctata" took me here (Wikipedia), scroll down and see the Gallery and view the right hand of 3 images, that looks most like yours - and like one of the two 14 spot examples on my FSC card.

I quite like the card and will look out for more (I see from site linked above they do a lot more!) - but I picked my card up from Cambridge University Botanic Gardens which is also recommended for anyone in that fine city (UK).

HTH,

[ClaudioG]

Beautiful shot John, i like this image very very much. Perfect focus and great blur for BG, great shot. i like the vignette as well. i dunno why but it has a xmas feel to it for me!!???

[Geoff F]

Yes, looks like a 14 spot to me. That black central line is quite distinctive. Although there is a rather similar but slightly smaller 16 spot.

I haven't seen anything except 7 spots so far this year.

[wilgk]

Very lovely little buggies

[FootLoose]

Beautiful shot, John. The DoF really makes it look almost 3D.

[John 2]

Many thanks for the responses.

Red and Green is always Christmas Claudio.

Dave, Geoff, a 14 spot it is. Oddly, the UK survey page has an ID card but these don't feature. I think that I will treat myself to the card you refer to Dave. From what I read, they are not particularly rare but we seem to be on the edge of their current range up here in the NW. Should I be surprised to find these two sharing the same leaf?

[Dave Humphries]

From what I read, they are not particularly rare but we seem to be on the edge of their current range up here in the NW.

The card, which has a reverse side full of notes, says of the 14 spot; "Widespread in England & Wales, scarce in Scotland", which fits.

Should I be surprised to find these two sharing the same leaf?

I expect Geoff may know more, but the card classifies both as "diverse" in habitat, but groups the 14 spot with others found "on grass and meadowland", whereas the 7 spot is grouped with the "generalists". Whether one is about to eat the other is anybodies guess

I think that I will treat myself to the card you refer to Dave.

I see they do a card on Ladybird Larvae too.

Cheers,

[DanK]

very nicely done

[Geoff F]

Yes, that FSC leaflet is quite good. I use it for basic checking. But for anything more complex, I also have Ladybirds by Helen Roy, and several others. Pelagic Publishing.

But probably more detailed than you would require; although still a good read.

[flashback]

Nice shot. I am wondering why some call them ladybirds and here we call it ladybugs...??? Jack, any idea? Just want to know...

From Wiki
"Coccinellidae are known colloquially as ladybirds (in Britain, Ireland, the Commonwealth, and the southern United States), ladybugs (originating in North America) or lady cows, among other names."

[IzzieK]

Thanks, Jack.

[John 2]

Thanks all for the follow up comments.
Dave/Geoff, I have sent off for a number of the FSC ID cards. They look to be just what I want. It will stop me having to ask silly Qs in future.

[Geoff F]

Thanks all for the follow up comments.
Dave/Geoff, I have sent off for a number of the FSC ID cards. They look to be just what I want. It will stop me having to ask silly Qs in future.

I have found that the more you know, the more you want to know!

So questions still get asked - but they become harder to answer.