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Our science is published in a variety of formats. Click here for more information. We also attend events and conferences in the UK, within Europe, and at venues around the world.Ladybird and parasite facts
Harlequin pupa - Barnaby Smith/CEH
New Ladybird Parasite Survey offers chance to witness evolution in action
There are 47 different species of ladybird resident in Britain, which play a key role in our ecosystem. Many ladybirds are voracious predators of crop and garden pest insects, particularly aphids.
A number of species feed on ladybirds and are referred to as “natural enemies”. Many species of ladybird contain a variety of bitter tasting, toxic chemicals and this, coupled with their bright ‘warning’ colours (aposematism), deters many potential natural enemies. However, the few natural enemies, mainly parasites, that overcome the defences of ladybirds are diverse.
There are three main parasitic insects of ladybirds; phorid flies (maggots which rapidly become small brown cocoons around 3mm long), chalcid wasps (up to 2mm long), or a braconid wasp (emerges as a single large yellow maggot around 10mm long that rapidly spins a cocoon).
Harlequin larvae -
Barnaby Smith/CEH
Phorids are currently thought to be the most common of these but the research team hopes enough people will contribute to the Ladybird Parasite Survey to allow them to look in more detail at the numbers of different parasites across the country.
The UK Ladybird Survey has been running since the 1960s but ladybirds have been recorded in the UK for several centuries. The UK Ladybird Survey is run by scientists from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University.
In recent years a new ladybird arrival has been spotted in the UK. The Harlequin ladybird was introduced to North America in 1988, where it is now the most widespread ladybird species on the continent. It has already invaded much of north-western Europe, and arrived in Britain in summer 2004.
The harlequin can eat more than 12000 aphids in a year. Unfortunately, harlequins prey on more than just pest insects, and will eat non-pest and beneficial insects, including the larvae of other ladybirds.
Related CEH links
View a slideshow of ladybird parasite images.
CEH's Biodiversity Science Programme
Scientific research by Dr Helen Roy
UK Schools and the BBC join the Ladybird Survey - 18 May 2010
Scientists call on the public to help monitor invasive species - 22 March 2010
Further information on CEH research into invasive and non-native species
