Embargo - 00:01 Friday 16 October 2009
Press release 2009/15 - Issued by the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
The Great Autumn Ladybird Invasion
Scientists use mobile phones to engage children in science as ladybirds swarm into homes for the winter
As ladybirds crawl into our homes for the winter, scientists are asking for photos to be sent in to the UK Ladybird Survey to help track the harlequin ladybird invasion. The harlequin is an invasive alien species which potentially threatens native ladybirds and Britain’s biodiversity. To make sending in a photo easy, scientists at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, which coordinates the UK Ladybird Survey, have teamed up with Woolworths.co.uk to launch mobile phone recording.
“This has been a particularly good year for some species of ladybirds, including harlequins and the native 7-spot, with large swarms being reported throughout the summer. Ladybirds are mostly inactive during the winter months and some species, such as the harlequin, spend the cold period in buildings - often in large numbers. This is an ideal opportunity to send in photographs to us so we can keep track of the harlequin invasion,” said Dr Helen Roy, Entomologist at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Peter Brown at Anglia Ruskin University, who also works on the UK Ladybird Survey, adds “Despite the increase in numbers of some ladybird species, there have been reports from across Europe that native 2-spots are declining. The tiny 2-spots tend to spend the winter with harlequins in buildings, so sending in photos of this species will provide us with the information we need to begin assessing the magnitude of this decline."
Ladybirds generally have few major enemies and when conditions are right for them they can easily reach very high numbers. They are distasteful or toxic to many predators and advertise this with their bold contrasting warning colours. Ladybirds also release a yellow fluid called ‘reflex blood’ when distressed, which is packed full of bitter tasting chemicals. This blood can cause staining in houses if ladybirds are disturbed from their favourite places such as window frames, curtains and in attics.
Helen continues, “We are excited that ladybird sightings can now be sent in through mobile phones and hope using this technology will motivate more children to get involved in biological recording. Studying ladybirds can be a lot of fun; there are 46 different species in the UK and, although identifying them can be challenging, it is extremely rewarding. Ladybird recording is also very important in helping us to assess the effects of environmental change, such as the arrival of a new species, on biodiversity.”
The new mobile portal will feed into the UK Ladybird Survey which, among other things, helps to monitor the invasion of the harlequin ladybird. The harlequin is native to Asia and arrived in Britain in 2004. It is known to eat native ladybirds and the food they rely on. However, its impact on Britain’s biodiversity is predicted to be wider.
Matthew Hardcastle, Head of Woolworths.co.uk, comments “We saved the Ladybird brand with the recent launch of Woolworths.co.uk and now we want to help the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology to ensure British ladybirds are safe.”
-ends-
Notes for editors
For further information, images and interviews contact Kate Groves, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Telephone +44 (0)1491 692 358 or +44 (0)7920 727 653 or email groves@ceh.ac.uk
To send in a ladybird record via a mobile phone, recorders can simply text the word LADYBIRD to 83040 in order to receive a link that will allow them to upload their photos and data. Texts will be charge at standard network rates. Internet browsing costs will be subject to the user’s tariff, but should not be more than 20 pence. The option of sending in records through the website and mail will remain.
Harlequin ladybirds are bigger and spottier than most British ladybirds, often with 16 or more black spots. Their wing cases are often orange rather than red. However, as with other species they do have a variety of colour forms. The 2-spot ladybird is about half the size of a harlequin ladybird and is usually red with one spot on each wing case.
The UK Ladybird Survey website was launched in 2005 and enables volunteers to record ladybird sightings online.The survey has received approximately 60,000 records, mainly from members of the public.The survey has generated a unique dataset documenting, at high resolution, the spread of an invasive species from the moment of its arrival. This data is being used to model species’ distribution, predict impacts on native species, and develop methods of controlling the spread of the harlequin ladybird.
The harlequin, native to Asia, was introduced to North America and continental Europe as a biological control agent because it eats more pest insects than any other ladybird. Unfortunately, harlequins will also eat non-pest and beneficial insects, including the larvae of other ladybirds and the eggs and larva of butterflies and moths. Britain's 45 species of native ladybird and these other insects play a key role in our ecosystem, but the harlequin has the potential to jeopardise many of them. The harlequin arrived in Essex from across the channel in 2004 and there have now been reports of it from as far north as the Orkney Islands in Scotland.
Woolworths.co.uk has supported the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology as part of the relaunch of Ladybird clothing. In addition to helping CEH set up mobile recording, Woolworths.co.uk has developed a Little Ladybird Spotters information pack that can be downloaded from http://www.woolworths.co.uk. The pack includes a Little Ladybird Spotters wallchart, species and photography guide and ladybird cupcake recipe.
The Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), which coordinates the UK Ladybird Survey, is the UK's Centre of Excellence for integrated research in the land and freshwater ecosystems and their interaction with the atmosphere. CEH is part of the Natural Environment Research Council and employs more than 450 people at five major sites in England, Scotland and Wales with an overall budget of about £35m. CEH also hosts more than 150 PhD students. CEH tackles complex environmental challenges to deliver practicable solutions so that future generations can benefit from a rich and healthy environment.
