A SWARM of insect eating ladybirds have made a beeline for Yatton and set up home in a village park. The Harlequin ladybirds, known for their ability to eat vast quantities of bugs and insects, landed at the newly refurbished Glebelands Park. This is only
A SWARM of insect eating ladybirds have made a beeline for Yatton and set up home in a village park.The Harlequin ladybirds, known for their ability to eat vast quantities of bugs and insects, landed at the newly refurbished Glebelands Park.This is only the second time that the bugs have been discovered in North Somerset.Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group chairman Tony Moulin said: "These large ladybirds are native to Asia but are now widespread in the USA and parts of Europe where they have been introduced as a biological control for aphids and scale insects."They are threatening our smaller, native ladybirds because they have voracious appetites for the same food - aphids."They also prey on some insects, including native ladybird larvae."DEFRA has funded a project to monitor their spread and anyone with information should report it on its website www.harlequin-survey.org
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