Ladybirds take Brixton
- Thread starter hayduke
- Start date
Hmmm. Swirly Carpet Beetle. Very large infestation in the 70s.Callie said:like this:
Are you sure they're not harlequins?
Eyed labybirds, it seems, are very distinctive
hence the name.
hence the name.
Come to think of it...
That's not a ladybird, it's Orang Utan.
Mrs Magpie is perhaps Brixton's finest amateur entomologist. And etymologist, for that matter.hayduke said:
They are lovely, but unfortunately, harlequins are an invasive species that eat all the native ladybirds' food (aphids, mites etc) and, when that has run out, eat the native ladybirds as well!reNnIe said:
But I suppose they are very good news for rose growers.
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
Stockwell is full of Lady Boys at the moment
*Makes note to get off at Stockwell on way home*Tricky Skills said:Stockwell is full of Lady Boys at the moment
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
Ladybirds need somewhere to hibernate, they like nooks and crannies. If you stick a bundle of hollow-stemmed sticks, or even rolled-up corrugated cardboard under your windowsill, or thrust into a hedge, they'll take advantage of the winter quarters. You can also buy posh multi-purpose insect housing, which is basically holes of various sizes drilled into a block or wood.
suzee blue cheese
Well-Known Member
Exterminate. Exterminate.
A number of dark Ladybirds have now entered the Groucho house...
Ladybirds have been in serious decline in recent years in Britain which has been put down to a number of factors, including pollution and a decline in habitat. Ladybirds have long been considered lucky which is in part due to their preditadory carniverous nature - they eat green fly and other pests in our gardens. Sick bastards have taken to taunting Ladybirds with mean and nasty rhymes about their children being burnt alive in fires. Given the very real chance of burning hybernating Ladybirds in bonfires around this time of year it should be clear why we have been desreted by our hitherto common indigenous British Ladybirds. These are red with blackspots - most usually 2 or 7. In recent months a foreign species of dark Ladybird with darker spots has settled on our shores. These are the Goths of the Ladybird world and are more likely to be seen drinking in bars in Hoxton Square with the notorious Death Watch beetle than with their colourful friendly cousins (who prefer Islington). So far these little dark Ladybirds appear to be harmless and seem to just sit there in the shadows cursing at us ever so quietly.
However, there have been recent reports of these creatures ammassing in great number, gathering as if for attack... Those with sharp memories may recall the terrible Ladybird assault on bathers on Brighton Beach in the summer of 1976. These were the gentle red ones, but boy did they bite that year. The reason for their attack has never been fully ascertained but we can be sure of one thing...if these new Goth Ladybirds attack the severity of the 1976 outrage will pale in comparison.
Ladybirds have been in serious decline in recent years in Britain which has been put down to a number of factors, including pollution and a decline in habitat. Ladybirds have long been considered lucky which is in part due to their preditadory carniverous nature - they eat green fly and other pests in our gardens. Sick bastards have taken to taunting Ladybirds with mean and nasty rhymes about their children being burnt alive in fires. Given the very real chance of burning hybernating Ladybirds in bonfires around this time of year it should be clear why we have been desreted by our hitherto common indigenous British Ladybirds. These are red with blackspots - most usually 2 or 7. In recent months a foreign species of dark Ladybird with darker spots has settled on our shores. These are the Goths of the Ladybird world and are more likely to be seen drinking in bars in Hoxton Square with the notorious Death Watch beetle than with their colourful friendly cousins (who prefer Islington). So far these little dark Ladybirds appear to be harmless and seem to just sit there in the shadows cursing at us ever so quietly.
However, there have been recent reports of these creatures ammassing in great number, gathering as if for attack... Those with sharp memories may recall the terrible Ladybird assault on bathers on Brighton Beach in the summer of 1976. These were the gentle red ones, but boy did they bite that year. The reason for their attack has never been fully ascertained but we can be sure of one thing...if these new Goth Ladybirds attack the severity of the 1976 outrage will pale in comparison.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
Well, I'm glad some ladybirds in Brixton have shelter, the rain is coming down in stair-rods here!
top_biller
a big bowl of wrong
Mrs Magpie said:
I read that as "they need crooks and nannies".
"Wanted: child minder with criminal tendencies to watch over larvae whilst mother hibernates. Must be available for long term position."
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
Last night at about 9ish, my OH jumped up off the sofa wildly waving his hands in the air and screaming... "I'm being attacked, I'm being attacked" (he doesn't like insects!)...
I had simply hours of fun taking the piss when it turned out his attacker was a very pretty 2 spot ladybird!
I had simply hours of fun taking the piss when it turned out his attacker was a very pretty 2 spot ladybird!
Brixton Hatter
Home is south London mate
I've heard that the ladybirds may have been feasting on bits of silver foil and squirrel droppings, leading to me to the conclusion that these are probably the first crack-addicted insects to appear in Brixton....
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
Brixton Hatter said:
I know I'm in danger of being accused of being anti-ladybird, but are these invasions really normal? I just opened my back window and about thirty fell into the frame. I guess I'm not bothered if they want to attempt to hibernate in my property as long as they don't cause any damage. They won't start eating my clothes or anything will they?
At the moment they all seem to be stoned out their brains, crawling around confused and flying into me and landing on my head etc. I like company as much as the next man but this is getting a little ridiculous!
At the moment they all seem to be stoned out their brains, crawling around confused and flying into me and landing on my head etc. I like company as much as the next man but this is getting a little ridiculous!
