Contact information : Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge

Outreach Activities by the Department of Genetics

Monitoring ladybirds

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Dr Remy Ware of the Department of Genetics co-ordinates the UK Ladybird Survey with Dr Helen Roy, from the Centre of Ecology and Hydrology, and Peter Brown, from Anglia Ruskin University. The survey was launched in 2005, and aims to monitor the distribution of all native ladybird species in the UK, as well as to assess the impact of the invasive harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, which arrived in Britain in 2004. This is an excellent example of a successful 'citizen science' project, where members of the public can gather real data and contribute to a real scientific research. Volunteers submit records of ladybird sightings to an online system (www.ladybird-survey.org) and upload digital photographs, or send specimens, to allow expert identification. Verified records are then added to national distribution maps for each species, hosted by the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. The results of the survey, including an analysis of trends and impacts of the harlequin, will be published early next year in the UK Ladybird Atlas. The UK Ladybird Survey team work tirelessly in promoting continued interest in the project, travelling round the country to give talks and workshops to schools and natural history groups, and participating in a range of public outreach events. Recent highlights include an exhibition at the Royal Society’s Summer Science Show in 2009, participation in the National BioBlitz (www.bnhc.org.uk/home/bioblitz/), and linking with the BBC as part of this summer’s Breathing Places Schools project (www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/ladybird-survey/). Citizen science projects such as this are a fantastic way of enthusing people about science, and inspiring the next generation of biological recorders.