What triggered this phenomenon in Portugal?

A series of seven-spotted ladybugsof the species Coccinella septempunctata, were seen last weekend in various parts of our country.

According to the newspaper Publicthese swarms are quite common phenomena in early springwith increasing temperature, consisting of seasonal migrations after winter.

According to scientist António Onofre Soares, professor at the Department of Biology at the University of the Azores, this process is called diapause, spending the winter in inactivity.

“Now, at the beginning of spring, they leave these places (of hibernation) and disperse in search of their usual habitats to feed and begin the breeding season.”
António Onofre Soares, scientist and professor at the Department of Biology at the University of the Azores.

This species, in Central Europe, has only one annual generation – univoltinestarting now looking for a habitat where you will find plant aphids to feed on.

Their habitats are mainly arborealand you can also move to fields of rye, barley and wheat crops where they will begin their reproductive cycleleading to a new annual generation.

At the end of summer, the new adults will begin a new period of diapause, looking for places to hibernate.

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Aphid-eating ladybugs

The ladybug, or lady of seven spotsthey say it is sign of happiness. However, beyond superstitions, This insect is considered an ally of gardeners and farmers.

The colors it displays were not left to chance: red is a danger sign, a warning to their predators. For when this sign is not respected, the ladybug releases droplets of a yellowish fluid with an unpleasant smell, preventing her from being attacked.

In addition to being prey, it is also a predator and their targets are insects harmful to plantsas is the case with aphidsthus avoiding the need to use chemicals to control pests.

Ladybugs are very sensitive to chemicalsso these should be avoided at all costs.

Do not use phytosanitary products in plants is very important for the preservation of this insect.

Photo sharing

Biologist António Onofre Soares encourages the use of the application European Ladybirdwhere citizens can contribute photographswhere it is very easy to get to know the species and find information about its biology and morphology.

This application results from a citizen science project led by the UK Center for Ecology and Hydrology, in conjunction with other European partners, including the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of the Azores.

The records inserted in the app are very interesting, because end up giving scientists a long-term overview of the abundance of this species in Portugal.