Penally1

By Penally1

Harlequins or ladybugs?

I've been awaiting proper ladybirds to come and eat the aphids on my broad beans; I'm not sure about these two which are apparently both Asian Lady Beetles (also known as ladybugs or harlequin beetles).  The species is one of the most variable in the world, with an exceptionally wide range of colour forms.  The form on the left, Harmaria axyridis f. spectabilis, are uniformly black with 4 red spots, whereas the form on the right is H. axydiris f. succinea which is red or orange with 0-22 black spots of variable size.  The species is widely considered to be one of the world's most invasive insects.  But does it eat aphids and will my precious broad beans be ok?

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