The Harlequin is larger than the majority of our native species - approximately 6-8 mm. Our native 7-spot ladybird is similar in size, but the harlequin does not have the same arrangement of spots.

    The Scarce 7-spot are always found near wood ants nests, but the harlequin is not.

    The body is much rounder than most British ladybirds.

    It can be red, orange or mainly black (melanic). Native melanic ladybirds are rarely seen and they are usually much smaller.

    It can have anything from 0 - 19 black spots, which vary in size. If it is black it will usually have 4 red patches.

    The legs of the harlequin are brownish and the hind rim of the underside is quite red. Our other large ladybird, the ‘Eyed ladybird’ has black legs.

    It has a distinctive white mark on its head. Our native cream-spot ladybird always has a reddish fore-body with no white patches.

For help with recognising the harlequin, try the 'Harlequin Survey Website. Well worth a look!
http://www.harlequin-survey.org/recognition_and_distinction.htm#

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RECORDS PLEASE

SPECIES NAME
            Latin is preferred but English is quite acceptable, particularly for birds and mammals.

LOCATION
            The name of the place where the record was made or a sketch map of the site.

GRID REFERENCE
            A Grid Reference of at least 4 figures (e.g. TM/1445):
            6 figure references are preferred (e.g. TM/143452).
            All Ordnance Survey maps have instruction on how to read a Grid Reference.

DATE
            The day, month and year of the record.

NAME
            Name (and address if a new contributor) of the person who made the record.

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The Centre can provide:

    Help and advice about recording and identifying Suffolk's flora and fauna.

    Information for teachers on the way schools can get involved through project work.

    'Tick' cards for recording all the major groups of plants and animals.

 

    If you would like to get involved in surveys, or want to know more about the work of the Suffolk Biological Records Centre, please contact: