A Field Guide to Harlequins and Other Common Ladybirds of Britain and Ireland

Erscheinungsjahr 2021
ISBN: 978-1-78427-244-9
Verlag: Pelagic Publishing Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 120 Seiten, Format (B × H): 137 mm x 216 mm, Gewicht: 181 g

Reihe: Pelagic Identification Guides

The invasive Harlequin ladybird is an eye-catching and beautiful species, but it can be very difficult to identify, with huge variation in colouration and pattern. This comprehensive photographic field guide is the first complete guide to identifying Harlequin ladybirds found in Britain and Ireland.  It also covers all the other 25 conspicuous ladybird species that occur.

- Detailed, informative and beautifully illustrated with more than 350 remarkable colour photographs including ladybird developmental time sequences and numerous images of each ladybird species

- Ground-breaking quick key for Harlequin identification

- Includes a photographic guide to the larvae of all 26 species – the first of its kind

- Easy to follow comprehensive descriptions and explanations of ladybird lifecycles and habits

This clear, user-friendly field guide is ideal for anyone interested in learning how to identify a Harlequin ladybird, from beginners to more experienced entomologists, students and professionals. This book is ideal for learning to recognise and understand this charismatic and significant beetle.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Boyce, Helen

Boyce, Helen B. C.

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Tierkunde / Zoologie Wirbellose (Invertebrata) Insekten (Entomologie)
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften, Biologie: Sachbuch, Naturführer

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Foreword by Helen Roy and Peter Brown

Introduction

The Harlequin ladybird: how and when it arrived

-Where and when to find Harlequin ladybirds

Characteristics of a ladybird

The lifecycle of a ladybird

-Eggs

-Larvae

-Ladybird larvae of Britain and Ireland

--How to recognise a Harlequin larva

-Pupae

--How to recognise a Harlequin pupa

-Adult ladybirds

--The newly emerged adult

--Overwintering

--Spring emergence

Protection, predation and parasites

Food

How to recognise a Harlequin ladybird

1. Introduction to Harlequin colour forms

2. Only Harlequins have two ‘shoulder spots’

3. Harlequins never have white ‘angel wings’

4. Harlequins are 5–8 millimetres long

5. The only black ladybird that has full, round white ‘cheeks’ is the Harlequin

6. The Harlequin’s pronotum is always black and white/cream

7. The Harlequin’s pronotum markings

8. Harlequin spots and patterns

9. Harlequins do not have white spots on their wing cases

10. Harlequin leg colour

11. Harlequin underside colour

12. Harlequins can have tiny rear ‘pinched’ dimples and ridges

13. Harlequins have a lip on the elytra

Key to identifying whether or not a ladybird is a Harlequin

Conspicuous ladybirds of the British Isles

Other Harlequins

How to record your sightings

Glossary

Further reading and references

Photographic credits

Index of non-Harlequin photos

Über Autor(innen)

Boyce, Helen B. C.
Helen Boyce has a lifetime of experience photographing and studying British wildlife.  She has worked with wildlife groups and conservation organisations, as well as giving lectures and leading educational walks. She has a fresh and inspiring way of approaching and teaching a subject and is naturally driven to share her knowledge and experience in an accessible way that inspires others to learn more about the fascinating natural world of wildflowers, grasses and insects.