Not all ladybirds are good

I have been delighted at the variety of insects and bugs in my veggie patch. But some are unwelcome pests and I never knew that some ladybirds like to feed on vegetable crops ...


A pest and its mate - they can rip through a fair section of leaf in a short time

They are usually larger with 24-28 spots. They liked my potato plants and have also had a go at the 'curcubits' patch - that is, zucchini, cucumber and pumpkin. Others have reported the same problem. They are pretty big, so are easy to spot and pick off the leaves. This is why I have been reluctant to put bird-netting over my vegetables, as I hope they eat these bugs - but they may be unsavoury to birds. Hmm. Dunno about that.