Harlequin Ladybirds

'The harlequin ladybird has landed.'  On Monday this week I was investigating the insects on the red currant bushes and what did I see?  Two very spotty ladybirds. I guessed that they were Harlequin Ladybirds.   The harlequin ladybird was first spotted (no pun here!), in Britain in 2004 and has spread very rapidly across the UK since. They have a nasty bite and eat almost everything including native British ladybirds and their food.  If you are interested check out the Harlequin Ladybird Survey website, and if you have seen any you can take part in the survey.