Fota Wildlife need your help ‘on the look out for ladybirds’ this summer

Fota Wildlife has asked the general public to help them look out for ladybirds.

The research is being carried out by Fota Wildlife and University College Cork in a bid to find out the distribution of ladybirds in Ireland. They also wish to research the effects that invasive species have on the native Irish population of ladybirds. Most days my son willingly brings me worms and other bugs he's found outside so I've no doubt you'll easily convince the kids to go on a bug hunt. Last year many schools including the students of Cloghans Hill on the Galway/Mayo border eagerly got involved in their search for ladybirds.

Here’s an activity for the whole family in the garden (before the rain comes!) who wants to go on a bear hunt when you can go on a ladybird one ? and be part of a really cool survey with @fotawildlife @UCC I think we will have to hunt all around the school on Monday #edchatie pic.twitter.com/rVOOmDTm5c

— Cloghans Hill NS (@ScoilAnClochain) June 2, 2018

You can take part from your own garden or head out and about on a ladybird hunting adventure. With the summer holidays upon us, it's also a great excuse for a trip out to one of the countries parks or forests. You could really make a day of it by putting together a bug detective kit complete with magnifying glass and notepad for taking down all the bugs you found. It's very easy to participate. All you have to do is note down where and when you spotted a ladybird and drop Fota Wildlife a line. There you have it, a great day out with the kids and you get to partake in some important natural wildlife research. You can email your findings to ladybird@fotawildlife.ie and help with the All Ireland Ladybird survey.