Where's the ladybirds gone?

elsien

Only seen one in my garden this year (probably not helped by a distinct lack on greenfly.)
I normally have lots, don't tend to go around spraying things and tend to a more organic approach. I've not even spotted the dreaded harlequin larvae.
Is it just me, and is there anything else I can do to encourage them?

coffeehound

Not seen many butterflies this year either. Perhaps something to do with that long, dark wet winter.

shortcrust

I’ve got loads of butterflies and ladybirds this year. Lots of variety too. I saw five different types of buttefly as I drank my morning coffee today. There are currently three flapping about, and that’s a small garden two miles from a city centre. I’ll count my blessings!:)

Davesnave

Plentiful insects, but no ladybirds seen down here, not that many are usually seen anyway.



I find insect distribution may be very localised. Last year we had far more butterflies than people a mile away, who were complaining about the lack of them.There is nothing obviously different about their situation and ours.



A village 7 miles distant, where I walk while the van's being MoT'd every July seems particularly bereft. I stopped next to 3 buddleia bushes in full flower and didn't see a bee, let alone a butterfly!

Farway

I've squadrons of butterflies, mainly cabbage whites of course:o


Only seen one ladybird, but now have blackfly on the runners so I hope the little bu66er gets to work sharpish

madjackslam

Plenty of butterlies here - mostly whites, but also blues, small tortoiseshells, comma, speckled wood; saw a burnet moth yesterday for the first time. Gorgeous. I'd say I've seen the usual number of ladybirds, although I think there may be fewer green/blackfly than usual. Slugs and snails seem to be down too and for the second year hardly any lily beetles. Finally, when you disturb an ants' nest in this whether, how fast do the little beggars move? Turbocharged.

Grenage

Lots of butterflies here; went for a run through some woodland and a 20m stretch must have contained about 50+.


Only seen one ladybird this year; I've got enough aphids to fill a bathtub, and just as many ants farming the sods.

Waterlily24

Lots of butterflies here too, we've got a few Buddleia bushes plenty around them and loads on the walk I take the dog on. A couple of varieties I've not seen before too. I've seen a few ladybirds but not that many.

unrecordings

lots of butterflies & ladybirds here
less slugs than usual which is nice

neilmcl

Loads of butterflies in my garden, but then we do have a lot of butterfly friendly plants including a large buddleja. To be fair ladybirds are mostly active in the spring months, right now most female ladybirds will be busy laying eggs.

malebolge

I noticed a distinct lack of ladybirds in spring. Lots more aphids & ants than last year. As others have said, lots and lots of butterflies, and not just the infernal whites. Lots of blues & various skippers and more painted ladies & red admirals on my buddlejas than the last few years. I'm looking forward to this year's Big Butterfly Count https://www.bigbutterflycount.org/
Also seeing more, and more variety of, bees. Nature has a way of balancing things (as long as us humans don't manage to screw with things too much). The ladybirds will be back.