A ladybird hibernates in Tewin, Hertfordshire

© James Pearce/Alam

Sweet dreams, ladybird. How do ladybirds winter?

Our photo shows a ladybird bunking down for a long winter’s nap near the village of Tewin in Hertfordshire. That’s right, many species of ladybird hibernate over the winter. Although this red and black beetle is sleeping solo, it's not uncommon to find a large group of ladybirds – called a ‘loveliness’ – huddled together for warmth and safety, snoozing until spring. They’ll wake up and get back to eating more crop-killing aphids – a good reason to let that loveliness of ladybirds into your garden.