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Ladybirds (or ladybugs if you are American) are loved by the public but now help is needed to monitor local numbers as an invasive species called the harlequin ladybird spreads across England. Ladybirds are generally considered useful insects as many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places.
Local conservationists are appealing for records for one of our most popular insects. Budding ladybird spotters will benefit from a free information pack and identification guides.
Leicestershire County Council’s Community Heritage Initiative is focussing on the ladybird for its latest wildlife focus as, last year, project volunteers found the substantial numbers of the harlequin ladybird in the county and now more records are needed to look at how their numbers are spreading. Records sent to the Holly Hayes Environment and Heritage Resources Centre will also be forwarded to the national project monitoring the spread of the Harlequin Ladybird.
Ladybirds can be found in almost every type of terrestrial habitat in Britain. Species such as the 7-spot occur anywhere where plants with aphids are found, at almost anytime of year. Conservationists are concerned that a new Asian species of ladybird has been noted to be spreading across the UK and elsewhere in Europe, it has lead to native ladybird species being under threat. The Harlequin Lady Bird (also known as the Asian lady beetle - Harmonia Axyridis) is a better competitor and eats more food than native species. In Europe, the species was first seen in Belgium in 2001. It spread fast and has spread through western Germany (2002), the Netherlands (2003), northern France (2004), the UK (2004) and Scandinavia (2007). In the UK, there have now confirmed sightings throughout the South East , west to Cornwall and the west coast of Pembrokeshire (Wales), and north to north Lancashire, north Yorkshire and south Durham (county). Their voracious appetite also means that if food is short they can turn to eating smaller British ladybirds, butterfly eggs and caterpillars.
For a free ladybird survey form and leaflet please contact the Community Heritage Initiative on 0116 267 1377, email chi@leics.gov.uk or write to Leicestershire County Council’s Environmental Resources Centre, Holly Hayes, 216 Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4DG. More information on this and other related issues can be found at www.leics.gov.uk/celebrating_wildlife.
Latest News
If you don't use it... freeuse it! | |
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 | 11 February 2010If you don't use it. .... 11 Feb 2010 If you don't use it... freeuse it! |
Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in Groby | |
 | Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in GrobyPolice are appealing for witnesses following the assault of two teenage boys in Groby. The incident happened at around 6.... 11 Feb 2010 Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in Groby |
Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall | |
| Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall Two men have been charged in connection with drug dealing in the Netherhall and Thurnby Lodge areas of Leicester. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of supplying Class A drugs and two counts of possessing a Class A drug.... 11 Feb 2010 Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall |
Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres Monsell | |
| Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres MonsellHomes of elderly residents in Eyres Monsell are being given a security boost to help prevent distraction burglaries. Officers from Leicester City Council and Leicestershire Constabulary will be visiting up to 300 properties to carry out security checks and install crime prevention devices such as door chains and bolts, window locks, kick boards to strengthen front and back doors, personal alarms and digital spy cameras, where appropriate.... 11 Feb 2010 Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres Monsell |
Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers | |
| Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers Elderly residents in Leicester are being warned following a series of distraction burglaries by two men claiming to be police officers. Four distraction burglaries were reported to police in the city during the evening of Wednesday February 10.... 11 Feb 2010 Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers |
Related News
Snakes Alive | |
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 | I f you have a compost heap in your garden or allotment then take a closer look, as a survey is looking for your help in discovering our slippery friends.... 29 Apr 2008 Snakes Alive |
Bluebells | |
 | Local woodlands are now reaching full bloom and becoming abundant with the smell of the nations favourite wild flower, the bluebell.... 15 Apr 2008 Bluebells |
Attenborough backs Leicestershire butterfly enthusiasts | |
 | Sir David Attenborough, President of Butterfly Conservation, will be launching Save Our Butterflies Week, which starts on July 19. ... 17 Jul 2008 Attenborough backs Leicestershire butterfly enthusiasts |
Design a wildlife mosaic for reading garden | |
 | Talented designers are being called on to design a wildlife image for Markfield Reading Garden. The winning design will be made into a mosaic for the site, and unveiled at the launch of the garden in September.... 10 Jun 2008 Design a wildlife mosaic for reading garden |
Heritage News for Autumn | |
| Community Services6 October 2009Heritage News for AutumnA newsletter packed with the latest information about the local heritage, natural history and conservation of Leicestershire has just been produced. The autumn edition of Branchline produced by Leicestershire County Councils Environment and Heritage Services is now available free of charge from the Holly Hayes Environment and Heritage Resources Centre.... 06 Oct 2009 Heritage News for Autumn |
Relevant News
Celebrating People and their Local Heritage | |
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 | Leicestershire County Council?s Community Heritage Initiative (CHI), supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Rutland County Council, is holding its free annual conference on Saturday 26th April at the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothle... 08 Apr 2008 Celebrating People and their Local Heritage |
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER STUDENT SHINES IN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AWARDS 2008 | |
 | Malaysian student Abigail Choong's inspirational story of student life in Leicester has resulted in her being named a runner-up in the regional finals of the UK?s biggest international student competition. ... 11 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER STUDENT SHINES IN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AWARDS 2008 |
Bluebells | |
| Local woodlands are now reaching full bloom and becoming abundant with the smell of the nations favourite wild flower, the bluebell.... 15 Apr 2008 Bluebells |
Poetry in Leicestershire | |
 | Do you love our natural environment? If so, have you ever thought about expressing the wild world through playing with words? ... 21 Apr 2008 Poetry in Leicestershire |
Officers from Leicestershire win national rifle shooting championship | |
 | A team of four police officers from Leicestershire Constabulary have won a national rifle shooting championship. ... 23 Apr 2008 Officers from Leicestershire win national rifle shooting championship |
Most Read News (today)
Cannabis Farm Closed | |
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 | A cannabis factory has been discovered by officers from Hinckley Road local policing unit. The factory was discovered at a house on Beaconsfield Road, off Narborough Road, at around 11.... 19 Apr 2008 Cannabis Farm Closed |
NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN | |
 | A prestigious new scholarship has been announced by the University of Leicester?s Department of Mathematics in memory of an outstanding former member of staff.... 02 May 2008 NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN |
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME | |
 | A collaboration between the University of Leicester Forensic Research Centre and the Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit, which has already produced some ground-breaking results, is to be formally launched on 14th May.... 16 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME |
Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity | |
 | Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity Sgt Julie Strong, Jo Adams, PCSO Sarah Eastwood, PCSO Maggie Hill, Jonathan Rogers & Chris Barratt with some of the donated bikes Police in Leicester are helping a local charity to get back on track after it was targeted by thieves. Neighbourhood officers from Hinckley Road police station have organised the donation of 20 mini motos and motorbikes to Nacro, the crime reduction charity, to help it continue its work tackling anti-social behaviour and engaging with young people.... 12 Jun 2009 Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity |
Two men charged with murder | |
| Two men charged with murder A 36-year-old man and a 53-year-old man have been charged with murder following the death of 51-year-old Mrs Vina Patel on Thursday January 15, 2009. Both men are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday July 3, 2009.... 02 Jul 2009 Two men charged with murder |
Most Read News (this month)
Cannabis Farm Closed | |
|---|---|
| A cannabis factory has been discovered by officers from Hinckley Road local policing unit. The factory was discovered at a house on Beaconsfield Road, off Narborough Road, at around 11.... 19 Apr 2008 Cannabis Farm Closed |
NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN | |
| A prestigious new scholarship has been announced by the University of Leicester?s Department of Mathematics in memory of an outstanding former member of staff.... 02 May 2008 NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN |
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME | |
| A collaboration between the University of Leicester Forensic Research Centre and the Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit, which has already produced some ground-breaking results, is to be formally launched on 14th May.... 16 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME |
Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity | |
| Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity Sgt Julie Strong, Jo Adams, PCSO Sarah Eastwood, PCSO Maggie Hill, Jonathan Rogers & Chris Barratt with some of the donated bikes Police in Leicester are helping a local charity to get back on track after it was targeted by thieves. Neighbourhood officers from Hinckley Road police station have organised the donation of 20 mini motos and motorbikes to Nacro, the crime reduction charity, to help it continue its work tackling anti-social behaviour and engaging with young people.... 12 Jun 2009 Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity |
Two men charged with murder | |
| Two men charged with murder A 36-year-old man and a 53-year-old man have been charged with murder following the death of 51-year-old Mrs Vina Patel on Thursday January 15, 2009. Both men are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday July 3, 2009.... 02 Jul 2009 Two men charged with murder |
Most Read News (alltime)
Lengthy sentences for four accused in Kidnap trial | |
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| Lengthy sentences for four accused in Kidnap trialClockwise from top left: Gaffar, Mirza, Desai and KhanA PCSO has been praised today after his actions helped to secure the prosecution of four men for GBH, kidnap, false imprisonment, robbery and blackmail. At around 8.... 13 Nov 2009 Lengthy sentences for four accused in Kidnap trial |
Don't be dead in the water this summer | |
 | Parents preparing for summer are being urged to think before buying blow-up arm-bands and rings County Council Trading Standards officers are encouraging people to check that buoyancy aids will really do the job before grabbing the nearest inflatable off the shelf. Not all products are meant to be used to help a child stay above water and even if they will float, if the item is a toy, such as an inflatable animal or giant ring, it will not necessarily be manufactured to the same safety standards as something specifically designed to help a child learn to swim.... 09 Apr 2008 Don't be dead in the water this summer |
Stephen Hawking Lecture at Leicester University | |
 | Professor Stephen Hawking to deliver 50th Anniversary lecture at University of Leicester The University of Leicester will be making history on Wednesday 28th May when one of the best-known and most remarkable scientists of our time will talk on the beginning of time and the cosmos. As part of the University s 50th Anniversary celebrations, Professor Stephen Hawking, CBE, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, will discuss theories on the origin of the Universe in a public lecture.... 01 May 2008 Stephen Hawking Lecture at Leicester University |
DIGITAL DEMOCRACY: WASTE OF TIME OR ROARING SUCCESS? | |
 | Central and local government have both adopted the Internet to promote their activities and to get feedback from citizens. But how successful has this been?... 17 Apr 2008 DIGITAL DEMOCRACY: WASTE OF TIME OR ROARING SUCCESS? |
Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall | |
| Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall Two men have been charged in connection with drug dealing in the Netherhall and Thurnby Lodge areas of Leicester. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of supplying Class A drugs and two counts of possessing a Class A drug.... 11 Feb 2010 Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall |