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THE
WATER LADYBIRD IN
CUMBRIA This
fascinating ladybird would be worth searching for during May/June and
again in August/September. As it is one of the most habitat specific species,
confined to wetland where reed mace and phragmites reed grow, a directed
search could be productive.
It
is an abundant species in south and central England, but as it is at its
northernmost limit there have been only a handful of records from South
Cumbria. All of these have been from the coastal strip bordering Morecambe
Bay, where the mild, moist climate should suit it.
At
only 3 to 4 mm long, this ladybird generally overwinters squeezed between
a dead leaf and stem of its host plant. Its body is flatter and more elongated
than other species, helping it to squash in. It emerges from its pupa
in late summer as a buff coloured beetle, having 19 black spots on the
elytra and 6 on the pronotum.
Unlike
most other ladybird species it does not develop a red or orange warning
colour within a few hours of emerging, but retains its pale colour throughout
the winter months. This provides ideal camouflage against the dead vegetation
on which it rests. Only in late April or early May does it develop a red
colouration, when it becomes active again and moves on to fresh green
vegetation in search of its aphid food supply.
A
further interesting adaptation of the Water Ladybird is a limited ability
to swim! Spending the winter some 6 to 18 inches above the water level
it is vulnerable to flooding. If the water level does rise, the ladybird
floats off and, by using its legs and any currents, moves to a new plant.
Flying to a new site would consume large amounts of its energy reserves
- "swimming" is presumably a more efficient way.
Please let Tullie House know if you find this ladybird during the summer
(address above).
