The Secret Life of Ladybirds – Steelblue Ladybirds Sharing Apple with Snail [Video]

The Steelblue Ladybird (Halmus chalybeus) originates in Australia and was apparently released in NZ in 1899 to control black scale and 1905 to control gum tree scale. It feeds on some garden pests like the Tomato Potato Psyllid so can be handy to have around, but it’s full impact on native insects and flora is unknown.

While harvesting fruit recently, we came across a group of Steelblue Ladybirds who decided a Granny Smith might be a good place to overwinter.

They were sharing their accommodation with a small snail and seemed to be getting along quite well.

Some amusing behaviour when you them up close!

Some NZ Nature Videos:

Videos from Kaikōura, New Zealand:

• Ōhau Point Fur Seal Colony – Kaikōura
• Seals at the Otumatu Wildlife Reserve – Kaikōura
• Hapuku Beach at Dusk – Kaikōura

Videos from New Zealand’s West Coast:

• Lewis Pass Scenic Tarn – West Coast/Canterbury
• The Pororari River Track – West Coast
• The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes – West Coast
• The Truman Track – West Coast
• The Blackball Bathhouse – West Coast
• Big Rimu Tree Walk – Karamea
• Kereru Encounter – West Coast Wilderness Trail