Survey to spot our ladybird population

A major citizen scientist project has been launched by the Irish Wildlife Trust to build a national picture of the distribution of native ladybirds.

There are 28 species of ladybird recorded in Ireland, but there is a huge gap as to which ladybirds are still out there and how they are dispersed.

Building a picture of the distribution of native ladybirds has also become an urgent task because there is a new ladybird in town — the harlequin (Harmonia axyridis).

The harlequin, originating in Asia, was first reported in Cork and Wicklow in 2010, and Carlow in 2011, and is a serious insect pest.

The invasive harlequin causes problems in our natural environment. It has a wide dietary range, out-competing native ladybirds for their main prey of aphids — sap-sucking insects — and even eats other ladybird species, their eggs, and larvae.

And worse, the harlequin can reproduce up to three generations a year while most other native ladybird species will only reproduce once.

The Irish Wildlife Trust will be holding workshops on the survey in Carlow, Cork, and Wicklow.

The project developed from a successful survey piloted by the Cork branch of the charitable conservation body.

Irish Wildlife Trust chairman Daniel Buckley said the national survey was crucial in building up a picture of the native ladybird population and the invader harlequin.

He said the project was a great way for people to contribute to science and conservation. “Anyone can submit a sighting and you don’t have to be an expert,” he said.

Sightings can be given via Biology.ie, where there are identification pictures and links to additional information on ladybirds.

There is also a Facebook page, IWTLadybirdsurvey, where comments and information can be posted.

The survey is being conducted in partnership with the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording, which is co-ordinating a ladybird survey in the North, and Biology.ie. The project is funded by Fota Wildlife Park in Cork.

Ladybird survey workshop details:

May 10 — Wicklow Recycling Centre, The Murrough, Wicklow;

May 17 — Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow;

May 18 — Fota Wildlife Park, Cork.

All workshops will be held between 10am and 1pm. Contact [e-mail] to reserve a place.