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Ladybirds (or ladybugs if you are American) are loved by the public but now help is needed to monitor local numbers as an invasive species called the harlequin ladybird spreads across England. Ladybirds are generally considered useful insects as many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places.
Local conservationists are appealing for records for one of our most popular insects. Budding ladybird spotters will benefit from a free information pack and identification guides.
Leicestershire County Council’s Community Heritage Initiative is focussing on the ladybird for its latest wildlife focus as, last year, project volunteers found the substantial numbers of the harlequin ladybird in the county and now more records are needed to look at how their numbers are spreading. Records sent to the Holly Hayes Environment and Heritage Resources Centre will also be forwarded to the national project monitoring the spread of the Harlequin Ladybird.
Ladybirds can be found in almost every type of terrestrial habitat in Britain. Species such as the 7-spot occur anywhere where plants with aphids are found, at almost anytime of year. Conservationists are concerned that a new Asian species of ladybird has been noted to be spreading across the UK and elsewhere in Europe, it has lead to native ladybird species being under threat. The Harlequin Lady Bird (also known as the Asian lady beetle - Harmonia Axyridis) is a better competitor and eats more food than native species. In Europe, the species was first seen in Belgium in 2001. It spread fast and has spread through western Germany (2002), the Netherlands (2003), northern France (2004), the UK (2004) and Scandinavia (2007). In the UK, there have now confirmed sightings throughout the South East , west to Cornwall and the west coast of Pembrokeshire (Wales), and north to north Lancashire, north Yorkshire and south Durham (county). Their voracious appetite also means that if food is short they can turn to eating smaller British ladybirds, butterfly eggs and caterpillars.
For a free ladybird survey form and leaflet please contact the Community Heritage Initiative on 0116 267 1377, email chi@leics.gov.uk or write to Leicestershire County Council’s Environmental Resources Centre, Holly Hayes, 216 Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4DG. More information on this and other related issues can be found at www.leics.gov.uk/celebrating_wildlife.
Latest News
Robbery at off licence | |
|---|---|
 | Robbery at off licence Police are appealing for witnesses after a robbery at an off licence. The incident happened at around 3.... 19 Jun 2009 Robbery at off licence |
Austin powers into town to open new children's centre | |
 | 16 June 2009 Austin powers into town to open new children's centre Rugby legend Austin Healey is getting ready to waltz into Melton to open a new children s centre. The Leicester Tigers and England star, also famed for his foxtrot after an appearance on last year s Strictly Come Dancing TV show, will cut the ribbon at Fairmead Children s Centre, in Drummond Walk, on Thursday, June 25.... 18 Jun 2009 Austin powers into town to open new children's centre |
Appeal following assault in Melton | |
| Appeal following assault in Melton Police are appealing for witnesses following the report of an assault on a woman in Melton. The incident happened at around 12.... 17 Jun 2009 Appeal following assault in Melton |
Recycle week 2009 | |
| Highways, Transportation & Waste Management 16 June 2009 Recycle week 2009 An action packed week aimed at encouraging people to reduce the amount of waste they produce is to be held. Recycle Week, themed Let s waste less , runs from Monday, 22nd June to Sunday, 28th June.... 16 Jun 2009 Recycle week 2009 |
Farmers fined £14,000 for moving sheep illegally | |
| Community Services 16 June 2009 Farmers fined 14,000 for moving sheep illegally Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards Service has prosecuted two Leicestershire farmers for failing to comply with a prohibition notice previously issued to them about moving their sheep. Thomas Geoffrey Skinner and Joseph David Skinner trading as the Skinner Brothers of Hazeltongue Farm, Holwell, Leicestershire were each fined 7,000 plus costs of 187.... 16 Jun 2009 Farmers fined £14,000 for moving sheep illegally |
Related News
Snakes Alive | |
|---|---|
 | I f you have a compost heap in your garden or allotment then take a closer look, as a survey is looking for your help in discovering our slippery friends.... 29 Apr 2008 Snakes Alive |
Bluebells | |
 | Local woodlands are now reaching full bloom and becoming abundant with the smell of the nations favourite wild flower, the bluebell.... 15 Apr 2008 Bluebells |
Attenborough backs Leicestershire butterfly enthusiasts | |
 | Sir David Attenborough, President of Butterfly Conservation, will be launching Save Our Butterflies Week, which starts on July 19. ... 17 Jul 2008 Attenborough backs Leicestershire butterfly enthusiasts |
Design a wildlife mosaic for reading garden | |
 | Talented designers are being called on to design a wildlife image for Markfield Reading Garden. The winning design will be made into a mosaic for the site, and unveiled at the launch of the garden in September.... 10 Jun 2008 Design a wildlife mosaic for reading garden |
Celebrating People and their Local Heritage | |
 | Leicestershire County Council?s Community Heritage Initiative (CHI), supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Rutland County Council, is holding its free annual conference on Saturday 26th April at the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothle... 08 Apr 2008 Celebrating People and their Local Heritage |
Relevant News
Celebrating People and their Local Heritage | |
|---|---|
| Leicestershire County Council?s Community Heritage Initiative (CHI), supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Rutland County Council, is holding its free annual conference on Saturday 26th April at the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothle... 08 Apr 2008 Celebrating People and their Local Heritage |
Bluebells | |
| Local woodlands are now reaching full bloom and becoming abundant with the smell of the nations favourite wild flower, the bluebell.... 15 Apr 2008 Bluebells |
DON'T LET COLD CALLERS LEAVE YOU HOT UNDER THE COLLAR | |
 | The tactics used by some telephone cold callers can sometimes leave you bewildered or pressured into buying things you neither want or need, but there are ways to get the upper hand, advises Consumer Direct East Midlands.... 16 Apr 2008 DON'T LET COLD CALLERS LEAVE YOU HOT UNDER THE COLLAR |
Poetry in Leicestershire | |
 | Do you love our natural environment? If so, have you ever thought about expressing the wild world through playing with words? ... 21 Apr 2008 Poetry in Leicestershire |
GET READY FOR THE READING RUSH! | |
 | Libraries across the county are gearing up to receive high numbers of new joiners as part of the National Year of Reading s ground-breaking Join A Library Day . Leicestershire County Council wants people to join in celebrating all kinds of reading in all kinds of places and be a part of the National Year of Reading.... 22 Apr 2008 GET READY FOR THE READING RUSH! |
Most Read News (today)
Great Central Railway | |
|---|---|
 | It will be a cavalcade of memories at the Great Central Railway this weekend (17th / 18th May) as a special gala event recreates the sights and sounds of four decades ago. Star of the show will be BR Standard 7, Oliver Cromwell which hauled Britain s last steam train back in 1968.... 14 May 2008 Great Central Railway |
Stop for the lollipop - it's the law | |
| Highways, Transportation & Waste Management 5 June 2009 Stop for the lollipop - it's the law Photo opportunity Drivers are being reminded that is it the law to stop for a school crossing patrol. New signs with the message Stop for the Lollipop, it s the law will go up around the county in the coming weeks.... 06 Jun 2009 Stop for the lollipop - it's the law |
Farmers fined £14,000 for moving sheep illegally | |
| Community Services 16 June 2009 Farmers fined 14,000 for moving sheep illegally Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards Service has prosecuted two Leicestershire farmers for failing to comply with a prohibition notice previously issued to them about moving their sheep. Thomas Geoffrey Skinner and Joseph David Skinner trading as the Skinner Brothers of Hazeltongue Farm, Holwell, Leicestershire were each fined 7,000 plus costs of 187.... 16 Jun 2009 Farmers fined £14,000 for moving sheep illegally |
Appeal following assault in Melton | |
| Appeal following assault in Melton Police are appealing for witnesses following the report of an assault on a woman in Melton. The incident happened at around 12.... 17 Jun 2009 Appeal following assault in Melton |
Austin powers into town to open new children's centre | |
| 16 June 2009 Austin powers into town to open new children's centre Rugby legend Austin Healey is getting ready to waltz into Melton to open a new children s centre. The Leicester Tigers and England star, also famed for his foxtrot after an appearance on last year s Strictly Come Dancing TV show, will cut the ribbon at Fairmead Children s Centre, in Drummond Walk, on Thursday, June 25.... 18 Jun 2009 Austin powers into town to open new children's centre |
Most Read News (this month)
Most Read News (alltime)
Great Central Railway | |
|---|---|
| It will be a cavalcade of memories at the Great Central Railway this weekend (17th / 18th May) as a special gala event recreates the sights and sounds of four decades ago. Star of the show will be BR Standard 7, Oliver Cromwell which hauled Britain s last steam train back in 1968.... 14 May 2008 Great Central Railway |
Stop for the lollipop - it's the law | |
| Highways, Transportation & Waste Management 5 June 2009 Stop for the lollipop - it's the law Photo opportunity Drivers are being reminded that is it the law to stop for a school crossing patrol. New signs with the message Stop for the Lollipop, it s the law will go up around the county in the coming weeks.... 06 Jun 2009 Stop for the lollipop - it's the law |
Farmers fined £14,000 for moving sheep illegally | |
| Community Services 16 June 2009 Farmers fined 14,000 for moving sheep illegally Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards Service has prosecuted two Leicestershire farmers for failing to comply with a prohibition notice previously issued to them about moving their sheep. Thomas Geoffrey Skinner and Joseph David Skinner trading as the Skinner Brothers of Hazeltongue Farm, Holwell, Leicestershire were each fined 7,000 plus costs of 187.... 16 Jun 2009 Farmers fined £14,000 for moving sheep illegally |
Appeal following assault in Melton | |
| Appeal following assault in Melton Police are appealing for witnesses following the report of an assault on a woman in Melton. The incident happened at around 12.... 17 Jun 2009 Appeal following assault in Melton |
Austin powers into town to open new children's centre | |
| 16 June 2009 Austin powers into town to open new children's centre Rugby legend Austin Healey is getting ready to waltz into Melton to open a new children s centre. The Leicester Tigers and England star, also famed for his foxtrot after an appearance on last year s Strictly Come Dancing TV show, will cut the ribbon at Fairmead Children s Centre, in Drummond Walk, on Thursday, June 25.... 18 Jun 2009 Austin powers into town to open new children's centre |