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

Ladybirds and Spider crabs

Who says crabs aren't cute? It's hard to resist with our recently arrived spiny spider crabs. They possess 2 'horns' inbetween their eyes, just visible beneath the various seaweeds pinned to their shells for camouflage. Their carapace also hosts a mini sponge garden where sponges take up residence, as well as barnacles which make full use of this moving 'rock' as they filter for food. Fascinating! All day yesterday the two spider crabs were clasped together, seemingly fighting (they are both male), so we have released one. The remaining crab is called Spongebob!

Our ladybird larvae are growing bigger every day! I expect they will pupate within the next few days, where they will metamorphosise, emerging as yellow adults 6-8 days later. The familiar red with black spots pattern will appear after several hours, once the shell has hardened.

Lorna

Coccinella septempunctata - The Gardener's Best Friend

I learnt today that your average 7 spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) eats 5,000 aphids during the course of its year-long life.  That's a lot...
Carl

However....!!!