While talking to my neighbour I happened to spot something black on a metal pole:
The tiniest, blackest, shiniest ladybird I have ever seen.
At 5mm across it must be one of the smallest in the UK:
It was in the most awkward position to get a camera near.
I had to guess when it was in focus as I couldn't see the camera's screen.
At first I though it may have been a Pine Ladybird but discovered the spots were wrong for that.
In the end I came to the conclusion it was a Kidney-spot Ladybird.
To finish off, a larger black creature.
Penny, catching up on her beauty sleep after another hard day supervising:
I did manage to trim the back lawn so that was one more task off the Round Tuit pile.
Grand find. Pine Ladybirds are quite common here but as they live in the tree canopy they are rarely seen. The larvae are more easily found.
ReplyDeleteAdrian: Yes, I read that the pine variety is common though rarely seen.
DeleteWhat a beautiful little creature and well done to photograph it so well in such difficult circumstances John.
ReplyDeleteShiniest insect I have ever seen (a photo of). Looks like Penny put in a hard day.
ReplyDeleteWilma: A real bobby dazzler of a ladybird.
DeleteThat's a lovely little creature!
ReplyDeleteSimon: I'm really pleased I spotted it, purely by chance.
DeleteJohn - for some reason I can't get my comment on to your site today - it keeps being blocked. But love the ladybird.
ReplyDeleteWeaver: It may just be that I use moderation on comments so they only appear once I've read them.
DeleteAn unusual looking ladybird and a great find :) a lovely photo too of Penny.
ReplyDeleteRR: It is nice to find something different from time to time.
DeleteCould it be a form of young Harlequin Ladybird John.
ReplyDeleteRoy: I don't think so. It matches the examples of a Kidney-spot Ladybird on the ladybird identification sites I visited.
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