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

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

  • Ground-breaking quick key for harlequin identification
  • Over 350 stunning colour photographs
  • Photographic guide to the larvae of all 26 conspicuous ladybird species
    £19.99
    We currently have 924 in stock.

    • This will provide a fantastic start for those who are new to observing ladybirds, but will also prove insightful for more experienced recorders.
      —Helen Roy and Peter Brown
    Tags:
    • beetle
    • coleoptera
    • entomology
    • harlequin
    • identification
    • insects
    • invertebrates
    • ladybird

    Description

    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.

     

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    Table of Contents

    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

    Reviews

    • This will provide a fantastic start for those who are new to observing ladybirds, but will also prove insightful for more experienced recorders.
      —Helen Roy and Peter Brown
    • This book is written and presented in a no-nonsense way for the Amateur Naturalist to be confident they will be able to use. An easy, yet accurate, guide…
      —Steven Rutherford, Chairman British Naturalists Association, Country-Side
    • An accessible text…full of high-quality images throughout.
      —Simon Springate, British Journal of Entomology and Natural History

    About the Author

    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.

    Bibliographic Information

    • 120 pages
    • 372 colour photographs, 4 line drawings
    • BISAC SCI070020, NAT017000, 1.1.0.0.0.0.0
    • BIC PSVT, PSVT7, WNCN, 1DB