Beetle: Orange ladybird (Adult)
Halyzia sedecimguttata
Another tree species but rather than aphids, said to feed on sooty moulds (Majerus & Kearns 1987). Observations of two generations present on a birch tree in Belfast in 2005, suggest such assumptions about diet may be too restrictive. No sooty moulds could be detected on the birch but larval development appeared normal. Larvae taken from the tree were fed separately on aphids present in abundance on the tree and appeared to feed and grow normally.
Copyright National Museums Northern Ireland, 2006
