Hooray for ladybirds

Hello all, just wanted to give a big thumbs up to our little spotty friends. I have a fairly large acer that was absolutely covered with black aphids, the leaves were more black than green. I gave it a really good soak and a seaweed feed and left it to its own devices, 3 days ago I spotted dozens of tiny baby ladybirds and there are now almost no aphids left. Hooray for Mother Nature.
My only concern now is will the ladybirds move onto other plants by themselves? I know the adults can fly but how do the young move around? I would hate to lose them.

 

I would think young ladybirds can fend for themselves. Otherwise, whenever a food source ran out, they would be doomed.

 

Very rarely see ladybirds here.

 

Here the same, but they were a common sight years ago.

 

Pretty much the same with many types of insects you've been used to seeing - either a drastic reduction or none.

 

In 1976 we had millions of them, I remember them well in that hot summer.

 

My Elder has masses of blackfly; very glad I gave up early on the broad beans this year! I saw quite a few ladybirds today including this pair; I think one of them got tired and the other is giving it a piggy back.

 

We usually have lots of ladybirds but I don’t think I’ve noticed any this year. Must have a look when I am pottering about today

 

I haven't noticed any ladybirds around so far, must check for lily beetle as well as the lilies are growing away.

 

I have only found 1 lily beetle so far this year, and my lilies are getting quite tall.

 

We get some unusual colour ladybirds.



And had my first ever lily beetle. Never seen one before. I have no lilies, but I do have some frits, which I think they go for.

I

 

@cactus_girl They will go for fritillaries, they prefer lilies some types more than others.
@Escarpment My elderberry is hosting the blackfly and so far not a one on the broadbeans for a change.

 

Current state of my elder; I bet there's some neighbourhood disputes going on!