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16/04/2008, 15:37 Barbel Bob Joined on 13/05/2007 Dept 24 Posts 122 Pyrrhocoris apterus (firebugs) Hi, I have just come across what seems like millions of ladybirds in my garden.......they are more oval than the UK ones and have more black spots....they are living all up the trunk of my tree and under plants etc.....are these ladybirds harmless to my kids and dog???????? also do they do any damage in such large numbers? May be a coincidence but a ground covering conifer has just died where they are all living. I have tried google but did not find any pictures of the exact same one. Thanks Julie    Report

16/04/2008, 15:47 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot Posts 6,264 Re: ladybirds Like THIS ONE? (firebug?) Clair, a Real Virtual French Person La vérité est si obscurcie en ce temps et le mensonge si établi, qu'à moins d'aimer la vérité, on ne saurait la reconnaître. (Blaise Pascal)    Report

16/04/2008, 16:28 Barbel Bob Joined on 13/05/2007 Dept 24 Posts 122 Re: ladybirds Hi clair, Yes thats the one or should i say million!!! I will read up about them now, thanks !!!  Julie    Report

16/04/2008, 16:45 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot Posts 6,264 Re: ladybirds  Barbel Bob wrote: Yes thats the one or should i say million!!! like THESE then Clair, a Real Virtual French Person La vérité est si obscurcie en ce temps et le mensonge si établi, qu'à moins d'aimer la vérité, on ne saurait la reconnaître. (Blaise Pascal)    Report

16/04/2008, 21:41 Barbel Bob Joined on 13/05/2007 Dept 24 Posts 122 Re: ladybirds   I have spent the last 30mins or so trying to find out some info on these bugs on google, there seems very little info out there. I would like to buy some insecticide to get rid of them if possible? They have taken over a area we plan to use in the summer and if they were in small numbers this would not be a problem however this is not the case. Has anyone out there got any idea what i can buy? or will they just disappear by themselves once mating season is over???? Julie      Report

16/04/2008, 21:46 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot Posts 6,264 Re: ladybirds I'm sure Chris PP has the answer, he usually has...  Wait a bit and he'll turn up soon Clair, a Real Virtual French Person La vérité est si obscurcie en ce temps et le mensonge si établi, qu'à moins d'aimer la vérité, on ne saurait la reconnaître. (Blaise Pascal)    Report

16/04/2008, 22:46 Tressy Joined on 26/02/2008 Charente-Maritime Posts 182 Re: ladybirds  Barbel Bob wrote: ...They have taken over a area we plan to use in the summer... Rephrase that to say 'they live in an area we intend to take over in the summer...'. It's just a different way to look at it. I have gazillions of them and they're no problem. I don't kill them and they don't harm me. I'll admit to squishing the odd greenfly but going after these guys is a bit mean, in my view. They are not interested in what chair you're sitting on or what book you're reading or anything else of that ilk. They just beetle around, on the floor, in the garden. It's not as though they're asking for a nice bed and duvet in the house.    Report

17/04/2008, 9:59 Jane and Danny Joined on 23/08/2004 near Cahors, 46 Posts 700 Re: ladybirds  Barbel Bob wrote:   I have spent the last 30mins or so trying to find out some info on these bugs on google, there seems very little info out there. I would like to buy some insecticide to get rid of them if possible? They have taken over a area we plan to use in the summer and if they were in small numbers this would not be a problem however this is not the case. Has anyone out there got any idea what i can buy? or will they just disappear by themselves once mating season is over???? Julie Julie try searching for this on google france "Pyrrhocoris apterus" and this brings heaps of information. They don't cause any problems to humans or animals or plants that I am aware of. They mate in Spring. They are all over the place at the moment. Why do you want to kill them? see this page for more info  - about 2 thirds down the page Danny specialist flute repair    Report

17/04/2008, 14:20 Barbel Bob Joined on 13/05/2007 Dept 24 Posts 122 Re: ladybirds Hi,   I have now read enough about them to realise that they are not harmful to the tree that they have currently set up home in....  It must be just a coincidence that the tree next to this has died, so i will let them be, they seem happy enough at the moment all back to back mating!!!!! Thanks but i had to be reassured they would not be harmful to my children or dog.......i read recently about the procession caterpillars and now worry. Julie    Report

France Forum » French Culture » Wildlife/Nature... » Re: ladybirds

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