During the recent sunny spell, (way back in mid-March) ladybirds emerged from their winter torpor to start feeding on aphids. These are the ladybirds that hatched and grew to maturity last year. Now it is their turn to mate and lay eggs from which the next brood will grow. Then they in turn will find a sheltered place in September/October to clamp themselves down and try to survive the frosts and cold of winter. These photos were taken in Filnore Woods on 24th March.
Stinging nettles are a great source of aphids for the ladybirds to feed on.
The seven spot ladybird is the commonest of the 26 species of ladybird beetle in the UK. It has three black spots on each side and one more just behind the head.
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