I saw this ladybird this afternoon on the Equisetum in the mini pond. For about half an hour I watched as it tried to unfurl its wings, the one on the left came out at least 15 minutes before the one on the right finally made it, I did think it was stuck at first. It finally made it, and then was marching up and down the plant stretching its wings. When I went to check if it was still drying(?) them, it had gone. Was this a newly emerged ladybird? But there again the colours are bright. It seems a strange place though, on a pond plant. I have never seen this before so I was really pleased.
Here are the pictures -
1.
You can see the tips of the wings. Also see how much the body undeneath looks like the pupa stage.
2.
The first wing emerging.
3.
Both wings are trying to get free. The wing on the left had already been fully stretched out before being brought back in several times.
4.
Both wings have now emerged after alot of stretching and pulling in and out.
I suppose really it would have been better to make a collage like Arp does, instead of flooding the gallery with piccies almost the same - but, I didnt know how.
