Their efficiency can vary: sometimes they have a relatively small effect on aphid populations; at others they cause significant seasonal declines. As the larvae age they will become larger and develop more noticeable orange patches on their bodies; however, they hide well, and can remain difficult to find.

These overwintering sites can include inside buildings and the harlequin ladybird can be present in very large numbers.It has orange-marked thoracid segments, with the first abdominal segment marked orange at the sides.

Coccinellids have had important roles in culture and religion, being associated with luck, love, fertility and prophecy. Some of these native ladybirds can appear similar to those of the harlequin ladybird and it is often not easy to determine which species has been found. I’ll keep the blog updated on how they do going into next year though – the next generations will be the true test! Overwintering insects can be found both in lowland areas, aggregating under dead vegetation, and at the tops of hills, hibernating under rocks and on grass tussocks.The larva of the species was introduced to California in 1887 from Australia, to protect citrus trees from cottony cushion scale.

Coccinellids have been popularly featured in poems and nursery rhymes, the most famous being Ladybird!

MightyBug – Ladybird larvae are an excellent curative treatment to give quick control of established aphid populations. A carefully thought out mix of nematodes to control common pests of vegetables and fruit, including carrot fly, caterpillars and ants, to name but a few! Not only will you kill lady beetles directly, but you also kill the garden pests that serve them as food sources.

Amanda Rose Newton is a pest specialist and horticulture expert, reviewing pest control and gardening content for The Spruce's Cleaning and Gardening Review Board.Since much of their prey are agricultural pests, coccinellids are considered to be beneficial insects.