The North East Ladybird Spot began four years ago in February 2021 and since then almost 200 volunteers have submitted nearly 10,000 records of 28 species of ladybirds.
So far, 18 species have been found in Gosforth Nature Reserve. They are:
2-spot Ladybird. A widespread species found in a variety of habitats so it is perhaps surprising that there have been only eight records from the reserve, mostly at the entrance. This species is small and also occurs in black forms with four or six red spots.
7-spot Ladybird. Our most familiar, least variable and most easily recognised species with 118 records from all parts of the reserve.
10-spot Ladybird. The most variable species in colour and pattern. It occurs in deciduous woodland and hedgerows yet we have only 14 records from the reserve.
14-spot Ladybird. Yellow with rectangular black spots and easily recognised. It is widespread but is hard to find in winter. 48 records.
18-spot Ladybird. A conifer specialist found on or near Scots Pine trees. There is one record from near the Heath Pond.
22-spot Ladybird. A small yellow ladybird with black spots. This one is vegetarian, feeding on mildew on hogweed and other umbellifers. 10 records.
Adonis Ladybird. A rare species with only one record from the reserve. Mostly found in coastal or dry grassland areas.
Cream-spot Ladybird. Maroon with cream spots and mostly found in deciduous woodland and hedgerows. 16 records.
Eyed Ladybird. Our largest species which usually has pale rings around the spots. Another conifer specialist with nine records.
Harlequin Ladybird. Large and usually red with many black spots or black with two or four red spots. This species has recently overtaken 7-spot Ladybird as the most frequently reported species in the North East Ladybird Spot but lags behind in the reserve with 71 records.
Kidney-spot Ladybird. Small and black with two prominent red spots, this species is mostly associated with ash trees, and sometimes with other deciduous trees. There are 7 records.
Larch Ladybird. Pale brown and often without spots, the Larch Ladybird is another conifer specialist. There are 10 records.
Orange Ladybird. Easily recognised, this one is found in woodland and on urban deciduous trees. 2024 wasn’t a good year for ladybirds, perhaps because the heavy rain earlier in the year meant there were fewer aphids for the ladybird larvae to eat. The only ladybird that seems to have bucked the trend is Orange Ladybird which is vegetarian and thus not reliant on aphids. Given the large numbers found in local graveyards this winter it is surprising that we have only 17 records.
Pine Ladybird. Found in all sorts of habitat, not just pine trees, this one is small and black with four red spots. We have 20 records.
Red Marsh Ladybird. Usually found near water, this is one of the group of “inconspicuous” ladybirds (which are small, not shiny and mostly lack spots). Three records.
Spotted Marsh Ladybird. The one found by James Common near the Meadow Pond was nearly 100 miles north of any other record. Similar to the Red Marsh Ladybird but with spots. There must be more around somewhere, surely? This is James’ photo.
Striped Ladybird. Perhaps our most attractive ladybird species, this one is a Scots Pine specialist, with only two records.
Water Ladybird. Previously thought to be rare in the North East but now shown to be widespread. We have 38 records.
One other species which ought to be present in the reserve but has yet to be recorded is another inconspicuous species, the Meadow Ladybird. It is small and brown and is found on low-growing vegetation in grassland. If you come across one be sure to report it to the North East Ladybird Spot.
