Ladybirds

The seven-spot ladybird's Latin name is Coccinella septempunctata.

Ladybirds are about 5-8 mm long. They are small round beetles with three and a half spots on each of their two wing cases. The ladybird's thorax is black with two white marks at the side and the head is black. Ladybird larvae have lumpy grey skin with yellow spots on either side of their abdomen.

Seven-spot ladybirds can be found throughout the UK and Europe inhabiting gardens, woodlands, hedges and meadows. 

Ladybirds will eat many small insects but prefer plant-lice and aphids and are known as the 'gardener's friend' due the number of garden pests they eat. A seven-spot ladybird will typically eat over 5000 aphids in its year long life. 

Ladybirds hibernate in large groups in the same site each year. It is believe that hibernating ladybirds release pheromones which attract other ladybirds to hibernate in the same place. Swarms of ladybirds will be found piled on top of each when hibernating to conserve heat loss and increase the chances of survival through the winter. 

The main breeding season for ladybirds is during May and June and you can easily spot mating seven-spot ladybirds in hedgerows and gardens. A female ladybird will lay over 2000 eggs in her short lifetime. 

The name ladybird comes from the Middle Ages when the Virgin Mary was portrayed wearing a red cloak rather than the more familiar blue of today. Ladybirds were known as the 'beetle of Our Lady' and the seven spots symbolised seven joys and seven sorrows. 

Ladybird, Ladybird is a popular nursery rhyme. It is more familiarly known as Ladybug, Ladybug in the US.

Ladybird, ladybird fly away home,
Your house is on fire and your children are gone,
All except one,And her name is Ann,
And she hid under the baking pan.

Ladybirds aren't known as the 'gardener's friend' for nothing. Both ladybirds and their larvae are excellent at controlling aphids and greenfly and make a real difference to infestations both in your garden and under glass. 

Unfortunately you may not see many ladybirds in your garden as their population has been declining in recent years. However, it is possible to buy ladybirds from garden suppliers. This natural control is a far better way of dealing with pests in your garden and kinder to the environment. 

Release your ladybirds in the early morning or late evening when the temperatures are above 10°C. Scatter them over affected plants and you should soon notice aphid numbers greatly diminished. Do not introduce them before there are enough aphids about as they will either starve to death or eat each other.