HI, found these little suckers whilst working in a local park and I think they might be Harlequin ladybirds and was just after a second opinion as i know that they can differ a lot in appearance. Also found what look to be ladybird larvae, but again not sure. If anyone can be of help that would be appreciated.
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Me thinks i may have to shrink my pics slightly before uploading them. Hehe!!!!

Hi

the first ladybird is a 10 Spot Ladybird and the next two are Harlequins. The larva is a hoverfly but don't know which one!

neil

Thats great thanks for the help.

Tell me if I am barking up the wrong tree - Do our indiginous L/birds have black legs and immigrants have red legs? - or is it the other way round ? - or have I got the wrong tree again ?

I'm not altogether sure about that because according to my "Guide to Ladybirds" the undersides and legs of the 2-spot are black; the undersides of the 10-spot is partly orange or brown, and it's legs are orange or brown which in my mind means the colour of legs vary within the species

I remember a telly programme some considerable time ago where ladybirds were illustrated. There were so many variations of the Harlequin that it appeared almost impossible to identify it except by eliminating all other species, for which of course you have to know them all.