Ladybird Update (Complete with Adder!)

I was cycling to Port Ellen yesterday afternoon when I spotted this slithering female adder right by the road side! It's a good job she wasn't any where near the middle as I wouldn't have been able to move her to safety. I did however pick up a big emperor moth caterpillar that was making headway for the cat's eyes. What a treat!

I promised an update on our ladybird project at the visitor centre, so here it is! As you can see from this picture, they have finally emerged! It is interesting to see the freshly hatched pale yellow individual on the right next to the colourful patterned one on the left. We have also had many colour variations, particularly ones that are inverted (black with red spots). We are hoping that with a plentiful supply of aphids and greenery, our hatchlings will breed. If this is successful the next generation will reach adulthood after around 8 weeks, and be ready for hibernation upon release.

Lorna