An aggregation of seven-spot ladybirds,Coccinella septem-punctata,overwintering in a holly bush,Ilex aquifolium,photographed in March in Norfolk,UK. All UK species of ladybird overwinter as adults. In October they begin to aggregate into groups for overwintering. The 7 spot ladybird chooses sites such as the undersides of leaves or within hollow stems of plants. The resistance to cold in overwintering ladybirds varies with time,peaking in the middle of winter and declining as spring approaches. In prolonged cold winters,mortality may approach 90%.The picture shows an aggregation of over twenty individuals. The collective noun for a group of ladybirds is "a loveliness" | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Burgess, Dr. Jeremy |
Taille de l’image : | 3468 px × 5212 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |