Variable weather for yesterday's mooch in SE Shrops, finding Hippodamia variegata (Adonis Ladybird), Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird) and Rhyzobius chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird) including this pair in cop, amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

A quick exploration of an ornamental Juniper, prior to an appointment yesterday afternoon in Shrewsbury, produced Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird). New for that monad. #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

A gorgeous spring day mooch this pm in NE Shropshire, finding Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped Ladybird) and Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird), amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

7-spot Ladybird enjoying the pollen, 2-spot Ladybird enjoying the sunshine (as was I!), and Red-patched Ladybird (Nephus redtenbacheri) tapped from a grass tussock at lunchtime today! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Good to see some ladybirds on the small apple tree outside the office in today's sunshine! Coccinella septempunctata (7-spot), Harmonia axyridis (Harlequin), Exochomus quadripustulatus (Pine Ladybird) and Adalia bipunctata (2-spot Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds

A few contenders for the Ladybird survey with parasites, found in the last few days in Shropshire. 7-spot and 16-spot Ladybirds with Beauvaria bassiana and a Harley with Hesperomyces sp.
#VC40Ladybirds #LadybirdsWithParasites

Very variable weather today in SE Shropshire! Finds include Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird), Rhyzobius chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird) with Larch Ladybird, R. lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird) and Nephus redtenbacheri (Red-patched Ladybird), amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Sunshine and downpours this pm in north Shropshire, finding Rhyzobius litura (Meadow Ladybird), Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird), Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped Ladybird) amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Three Nephus redtenbacheri (Red-patched Ladybird) and Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird) from today’s misty mooch in SW Shropshire with @vc40orthops.bsky.social. It’s the most SW record for Red-flanked in Shropshire so far! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

A chilly and dull mooch this pm in north Shropshire, finding Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), R. chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird), Hippodamia variegata (Adonis Ladybird), and Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped Ladybird) amongst others #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

In hindsight, I ought have collected the ladybird, but it's never my first instinct to do so! So, is it a Tachinid egg? Has the fly laid it on the wrong target? I tried carefully removing it, but it was stuck fast! #VC40Ladybirds

Completely flunked the focus (as usual!), but was surprised to find paired Meadow Ladybirds (Rhyzobius litura) yesterday. I've found paired 7-spot and Pine Ladybirds early in the year, but this is a first for me!
#VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

A damp mooch this pm, finding Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird), Rhyzobius chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird),Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird) and Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped Ladybird) amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Glorious lunchtime mooch! Sunny, warm and dry! Found more Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped LB), also with 16-spot and Rhyzobius litura (Meadow LB), another Nephus redtenbacheri (Red-patched LB) and Hippodamia variegata (Adonis LB) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

On Saturday, I planted a small conifer in the garden, and on Sunday, I noticed this lovely little visitor 🥰. Still there this morning, so thought it rude not to take a photo! Coccinella septempunctata (7-spot Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds

Actually dry today!!! Though the wind was blowing an absolute hoolie! Plenty of Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy LB), Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh LB), and singles of Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped LB) and Nephus redtenbacheri (Red-patched LB), amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Conveyor belt of deluges this pm… found Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird), Rhyzobius chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird), Scymnus suturalis (Conifer Ladybird) and new for my #LadybirdYearList Anatis ocellata (Eyed Ladybird) amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Clockwise from top: Psyllobora 22-punctata (22-spot), Hippodamia variegata (Adonis LB), Tytthaspis 16-punctata (16-spot), and Subcoccinella 24-punctata (24-spot)

A very damp mooch y'day in north Shrops, finding Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh LB), Anisosticta 19-punctata (Water LB), a quartet (see ALT for species names) from same grass tussock and Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly LB) amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Actual sunshine yesterday!!! Made all the difference with 14 species found including Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Hippodamia variegata (Adonis Ladybird), Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird) and Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped Ladybird) in north Shrops #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Friday afternoon’s mooch was a tad damp! Found Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird), Rhyzobius litura (Meadow Ladybird), Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird) and Hippodamia variegata (Adonis Ladybird) amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Rather late to the party with this one! New for my #LadybirdYearList Halyzia sedecimguttata (Orange Ladybird) from north Shropshire today #VC40Ladybirds

It was rather wet yesterday... a few finds include Harmonia axyridis (Harlequin LB) with Hesperomyces harmoniae from ivy, Anisosticta 19-punctata (Water LB) from Bulrushes, Scymnus suturalis (Conifer LB) from pine and Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy LB) from ivy! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Merci #VC40Ladybirds pour ce gros travail pour la communauté entomologique !

It was lovely to find 4 adorable Clitostethus arcuatus (Horseshoe Ladybird) this afternoon in east Shropshire! New for my #LadybirdYearList 🥰 #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Today’s mooch in mid Shropshire produced Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), Rhyzobius chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird), Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped Ladybird) and Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird), amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Between the deluges this afternoon, found Rhyzobius chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird), Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird), Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird) and Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird) with another Ivy LB, amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

When I took Mum to the hairdressers on Saturday, whilst I was waiting, I tickled some ivy near the salon, and found a couple of Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird). #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

Back to being rather chilly, after a mild couple of days! Today's lunchtime mooch produced another new species for my #LadybirdYearList, Scymnus suturalis (Conifer Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

The Adonis Ladybird (Hippodamia variegata) had a very successful 2025, and I’m certainly finding plenty of them! Had 9 today, taking my total up to 14 so far this year! With the exception of last year, I often get less than that in a whole year! #VC40Ladybirds

Quick lunchtime mooch before the rain arrives, produced a single Anisosticta 19-punctata (Water Ladybird) from a Bulrush sheaf (replaced carefully afterwards!), new for my #LadybirdYearList. #VC40Ladybirds