In recent days Sussex Wildlife Trust has received calls from members of the public who have spotted ladybirds emerging from hibernation. The ladybirds have been spotted around window frames and buzzing around peoples homes.

In the UK we have 47 species of native ladybirds - although only 26 of these are recognisably ladybirds. Many of the sightings reported have been of the non native harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis. The harlequin ladybird was first spotted in the UK back in 2004 in a pub car park in Essex. Since that time it's spread has been well documented by the national harlequin ladybird survey unit based in Cambridgeshire.

To find out more about ladybirds in the UK or find out which species you have spotted visit .......

• www.ladybird-survey.org
  
• www.harlequin-survey.org
  

Click here to tell us about your ladybird sightings