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Frog Blog...
July 2010
All through June we'he noticed huge numbers of larvae of the now Notorious Harlequin ladybirds in every garden we visit. Now, at the start of July, these larvae have all formed pupae, and the numbers of these in some places is quite staggering.
I was looking at a garden fence in Highgate recently, absolutely studded with hundreds of the black and orange buttons of these ladybirds pupae. When they emerge, which they must do during July, there will be a plague of them. It is amazing that only five years ago these alien invaders were still so rare, that I helped a survey by the excellent insect charity buglife, by reporting all specimens I found in the NW London area. My total at the end of the whole year was 7. Now it is common to find hundreds in a single small tree. Buglife warned at the time that the invaders had this plague potential, which was why they did the abovementioned survey. They also predicted that the effect on populations of native ladybirds and many other insects would be devastating. i expect they will be right there too.
On a happier note, larger insects have been loving the hot dry weather, and dragonflies are darting over many garden ponds. if you have a pond, remember to leave an unmown or unweeded area around it at this time, because baby frogs, toads and newts will soon be climbing out to take first risky steps in the big wide world, and need all the help they can get. Sheltering and feeding areas, with long grass or dense plants or weeds are essential in their first weeks on land.
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