Ladybirds are well known to gardeners as the number one organic means of aphid control. Our most common ladybird, the seven-spot, can eat around 5000 aphids in its short life. But our relationship with ladybirds begins long before we have any conception of biological control or beneficial predators. Ladybirds are among some of the first creatures we encounter as children; whether on the cover of our first Ladybird book or out in the garden, ladybirds are instantly recognisable. Or are they? Ladybirds are, in fact, highly variable; beyond the usual red and black lies a spectrum of colours and patterns; some are yellow and black, some are cream and brown, some have 24 spots, some have none, some are fairly hairy and some are really very hairy. What's more, the famous fact you were told about them as a child - that you can tell how old a ladybird is by counting the number of spots it has - is complete bunk. Ladybirds live for up to a year, sometimes less, so if you are ageing your ladybirds this way, you will almost always be wrong. Thanks, Dad.
DAZZLING DIVERSITY
Counting spots won't help you to age a ladybird; nor, often, will it help you to identify it. Of the 46 species of ladybird in the UK, 26 of these are classed as 'conspicuous' ladybirds. These are the ladybirds we commonly recognise as such, and included with these are the species we often encounter in gardens. You can identify ladybirds by looking at the colour of the elytra, or wing case, the colour of their legs and undercarriage, the shape and colour of their spots and their general size.
この記事は Kitchen Garden の February 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Kitchen Garden の February 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
PICK STRAWBERRIES - FOR HOME-GROWN FLAVOUR
When it comes to getting value for money and the best flavour, strawberries are hard to beat, says fruit expert David Patch
A GARDEN FOR EVERYONE!
This month Hannah Reid shares her experience of redesigning a garden for those with a range of disabilities and how it has benefited them
ROOM TO GROW
We meet Rhiannon Alcock from Devon, whose plot provides a place to relax and learn. It also inspired a wonderful community project growing produce for local food banks
Just how much food?
Top organic gardening influencer Huw Richards explains how to maximise the pickings from growing spaces big and small
PREDATORS ON YOUR PLOT
Garden Organic's Anton Rosenfeld explores the range of beneficial predators that you can encourage into your garden, keeping pests at bay
GIVE THEM A HELPING HAND
Some of our most popular crops come from much warmer climes and need a little extra TLC before being exposed to the UK's changeable conditions. Editor Steve Ott offers some top tips to help get them off to a great start
Digging for tomorrow
Encouragement to grow your own is being passed on to the next generation, as Sally Clifford discovered when she visited a former Dig for Victory site in the historic city of York
MAKE YOUR OWN GIN GARDEN
Become a gin genius by growing your own key ingredients. Becky Searle shows you how
KNOW YOUR ROOTS
Maincrop roots are a staple of autumn and, with care, should last well into winter too. Don't miss your opportunity to start them! Benedict Vanheems shares his tips to keep the larder stocked with nourishing, home-grown roots
SOMETHING FOR THE WINTER
This month 'squashbuckler' Rob Smith takes a look at winter squash varieties - old, new, coming soon and something different with advice on sowing, growing, harvesting and storing