Techniques for monitoring ladybirds

Ladybirds occur in many habitats throughout the UK from gardens to wilder locations. The abundance and bright colours of some of the more common species of ladybird make them very easy to spot even by a casual observer.

However, not all species are seen so easily and more rigorous sampling techniques are essential to thoroughly assess the different ladybirds found in a specific area.

Sweeping

A sweep net can be used for searching meadows, grasses, heathland or other low growing vegetation types. A sweep net is comprised of a white fabric bag held open by a stout ring attached to a handle. The sweep net is best used by walking slowly and sweeping from side to side. Considerable coverage of an area can be made quite quickly using this method.

Sweep nets can be purchased from suppliers of ecological or entomological equipment but they can also be made cheaply. A metal circle of 40 cm diameter should be constructed (using three pieces of thick wire bent into a circle with the ends twisted together) and the twisted ends of the circle should be pushed into the end of dowelling (1 metre long and 2.5 cm diameter). The bag (45 to 60 cm deep) can be made using strong white fabric with a hem of sufficient width to thread the metal hoop through.