This cherry tree gets infected with aphids every year. And in recent years has attracted Harlequin Ladybirds.
This is a Harlequin larva ready to start pupating.
These are more advanced pupae.
An adult Harlequin beetle -- crushed for this picture. Harlequins allegedly escaped from a greenhouse in Belgium after bringing them from Asia. They outperform native British Ladybirds, which are threatened as a consequence.
Eighty nine Harlequin larvae, pupae and one adult beetle were collected in a small vessel from this one small tree...
... and then dispatched to give our native Ladybirds a better chance to compete.
This tiny native Ladybird,
Propylea 14-punctata appeared yesterday in my house.
I've done my bit to help it survive.
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