7-spot layabouts!

Arrived back home from Scotland-Cumbria-Lancashire trip in time to inspect the garden. Looks like there's been more rain than the whole of the summer! A few of the late summer/autumn plants are coming into flower, but it's a lot colder than when we left. I found lots of aphids, apparently doing quite well. Then discovered why! This little cluster of true-Brit 7-spot ladybirds were snuggled up in the leaves of one of our crab apple trees. I found more, similarly, engaged in comfortable get-togethers - God knows what they are up to. Checking more carefully around the worst aphid-affected plants, I found the odd immigrant Harlequin ladybird out on patrol and dealing with the aphids. I'm tempted to write this experience up for the Daily Mail!