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vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
VC40Ladybirds 🐞
@vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
590 followers 43 following 490 posts
Ladybird CR for Shropshire & National iRecord verifier - co-author of 'Micro ladybirds of Britain and Ireland: https://shorturl.at/gXsQp and Micro Ladybirds of Shropshire guide: https://shorturl.at/DivpW #VC40Ladybirds
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vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
A nice mooch this pm in Telford area, finding Myrrha 18-guttata (18-spot LB), Anatis ocellata (Eyed LB) with Harmonia 4-punctata (Cream-streaked LB) & Rhyzobius chrysomeloides (Arboreal LB), and 49 wks after my 1st, got my 2nd Rhyzobius forestieri (Forestier’s LB) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
December 12, 2025 at 5:49 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
Also from today’s dull and soggy mooch, Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly LB), Scymnus suturalis (Conifer LB), Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy LB) and Hippodamia variegata (Adonis LB), amongst others #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
December 7, 2025 at 6:09 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
A very dull and soggy mooch in NW Shrops today, finding several Anisosticta 19-punctata (Water LB) incl. still quite colourful ones! Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh LB) and Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped LB) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
December 7, 2025 at 6:03 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
Didn’t get out this week, so from the archives, as it is now in the UK, a couple of Calvia decemguttata (White-spot Ladybird) larvae from France a few years ago. #Coccinellidae #Ladybird #France
December 6, 2025 at 8:16 AM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
Three of four Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped Ladybird) seen in NW Shropshire today! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
November 30, 2025 at 6:10 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
It was good to find Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird) yesterday, in its typical habitat (!!), from grasses at the base of a Salix, next to a pond! 😂 With the rather more typical 16-spot #AlwaysExpectTheUnexpected #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
November 29, 2025 at 8:41 AM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
It’s not often that I find a slightly different 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), so it was good to see one today with very reduced central spots! #VC40Ladybirds
November 28, 2025 at 6:07 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
After a two year hiatus, @vc40orthops.bsky.social and I were really pleased to finally find another Willow Ladybird (Scymnus limbatus) using our refugia yesterday. 🥰 New for my #LadybirdYearList #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
November 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
More from today’s mooch in east Shropshire! Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), R. chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird) with R. litura (Meadow Ladybird), Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird) and Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird), amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
A small hairy black ladybird with a bronze-brown pronotum, on a fabric tray with bits of dead brown conifer. Two small brown hairy ladybirds on a fabric tray. One has more extensive dark markings than the other, showing one of the differences between the two species. Two small black hairy ladybirds with 4 orange-red spots on their wing cases, on a fabric tray. A small black hairy ladybird with red triangular shaped markings on the wing cases, on a fabric tray.
November 23, 2025 at 6:54 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
A good mooch in east Shropshire today, finding Myrrha 18-guttata (18-spot Ladybird), Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird), Anatis ocellata (Eyed Ladybird) and Hippodamia variegata (Adonis Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
A chestnut brown ladybird with white markings, on the end of pine needles. There are two white markings just behind the pronotum which look like a pair of elf boots! Two red elongate ladybirds on a fabric tray. One is tucked up as they typically do, and the other is walking across the tray. Our largest ladybird in the UK, a red ladybird with black spots, each with a pale ring around it, giving it its name. The pronotum is white with distinctive black markings. It is on a brown leaf. An elongated red ladybird with black spots towards the rear of the wing cases, on a fabric tray.
November 23, 2025 at 6:40 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
A chilly but gloriously sunny mooch this pm in Shropshire, finding lots of Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy LB) with a Harley, Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked LB), Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly LB) and most pleased to find Coccidula scutellata (Spotted Marsh LB) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
Four small black hairy ladybirds with four red spots on the wing cases, with a large red-orange ladybird with black spots, on a fabric tray A small hairy black ladybird with orange-red face, edges of pronotum, and on large parts of the wing cases, on a fabric tray A small black hairy ladybird with reddish brown pronotum on a fabric tray A small oblong orange ladybird with dark markings on the wing cases, on a buff reed leaf
November 21, 2025 at 6:22 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
A lovely Nephus redtenbacheri (Red-patched Ladybird) from lunchtime today. Been a while since I last saw one! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
A small hairy black ladybird with orange-red lozenge shaped marks on the wing cases, on a dark yellow leaf.
November 17, 2025 at 3:32 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
A rather nippy mooch yesterday in SE Shropshire, finding Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), lots of R. chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird) and Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird), amongst others. #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
A small black hairy ladybird with 4 red markings on the wing cases, on a fabric tray. A small black hairy ladybird with dark brown-red pronotom and head, and additional stout hairs on the wing cases, on a fabric tray. Five small brown hairy ladybirds with a variety of dark markings, on a fabric tray. A small black hairy ladybird with red triangle patches on either side, on a green leaf.
November 17, 2025 at 11:07 AM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
First time I've seen a 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) with a crescent shaped marking! Almost like a very smiley face! 🥰 In SE Shropshire yesterday! #VC40Ladybirds
November 10, 2025 at 1:01 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
Also from this afternoon in NE Shropshire, Rhyzobius chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird), R. lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird), and Hippodamia variegata (Adonis Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird 2 of 2
November 7, 2025 at 8:35 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
A decent (for November!) afternoon in NE Shrops, finding lots of Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird) and Rhyzobius litura (Meadow Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird 1 of 2
November 7, 2025 at 8:31 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
More from today in SE Shropshire include Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped Ladybird), Stethorus pusillus (Dot Ladybird), S. interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird) and opposite end of scale from micro, the lovely Anatis ocellata (Eyed Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird 2 of 2
November 2, 2025 at 7:46 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
A glorious November day in SE Shropshire, finding Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), R. litura (Meadow Ladybird) and R. chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird 1 of 2
November 2, 2025 at 7:41 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
Happy Halloween 🎃 🐞 #VC40Ladybird #Halloween
An orange ladybird with black markings, a bit like a scary mask or a pumpkin carving, on a brown leaf
October 31, 2025 at 7:49 AM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
A lovely Hippodamia variegata (Adonis Ladybird) tapped from a needled conifer in the Forêt de Rennes (Brittany) earlier this month. #Coccinelle #Ladybird #France
October 28, 2025 at 2:09 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
Good to find a few Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped Ladybird) in France earlier this month, including one from a pitstop on a motorway 'aire'! #Coccinelle #Ladybird #MicroLadybird #France
October 27, 2025 at 12:52 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
Saw lots of Rhyzobius forestieri (Forestier’s Ladybird) in Brittany earlier this month! They’re very endearing 🥰 #Ladybird #Coccinelle #MicroLadybird #France
A very hairy, almost scruffy looking black ladybird on a leaf A very hairy, almost scruffy looking black ladybird walking on a leaf Three hairy black ladybirds on a fabric tray. Ventral shot of the three black ladybirds showing their red ‘bellies’, on a fabric tray.
October 26, 2025 at 9:32 AM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
A rather damp pm in mid Shrops! Almost out of reach Exochomus 4-pustulatus (Pine LB) with Halyzia 16-guttata (Orange LB) on pillar, loads of Coccinella septempunctata (7-spot LB) on electric fence posts, Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy LB) and Stethorus pusillus (Dot LB) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
October 24, 2025 at 7:09 PM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
My trip to France in May produced no Stethorus pusillus (Dot Ladybird), but I found plenty during last week's visit to Brittany! #Coccinelles #Ladybirds #MicroLadybird #France
Tiny hairy black ladybird with yellow legs and antennae, on a fabric tray Tiny hairy black ladybird with yellow legs and antennae, on a fabric tray Tiny hairy black ladybird with yellow legs and antennae, on a fabric tray Two tiny hairy black ladybirds, on a fabric tray
October 24, 2025 at 7:57 AM
vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
Some ivy on an old building in the Forêt de Rennes, in Brittany last week, produced lots of Rhyzobius forestieri (Forestier's Ladybird), Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird) and Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird) #Coccinelles #Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
October 23, 2025 at 10:27 AM