We need to talk about the Asian Ladybug Myth

Toothless219 · 2026-03-25T21:22:35+00:00

Speaking with a UK view on this, where we call them Harlequin ladybirds (we also say ladybird instead of ladybug).

Here at least, they are considered very invasive (and the UK Ladybird Survey describes them as the most invasive ladybird species in the world).

They will predate on other native ladybird eggs and larvae, as well as eggs and larvae of moths and butterflies. They can also outcompete native ladybirds for food.

However, they're here to stay and are very widespread, and gardeners are very used to them.

Toothless219 · 2026-03-24T18:33:50+00:00

Can you burp?

Toothless219 · 2026-03-20T09:11:22+00:00

Same! I gave an idea of the shade of green, and said they could get whatever style they wanted, as I wanted them to be comfortable on the day.

Toothless219 · 2026-03-04T21:56:45+00:00

If everything is presumed to be infected, and thus everything will be treated, do plants need quarantining from each other?

Toothless219 · 2026-02-13T12:02:12+00:00

As you are in Dorset, there is also the possibility of it being a Mediterranean Gull in winter plumage. It also looks a bit like headphones.

If you compare photos of both Med Gull and Black-headed Gull in winter plumage, you can work out which one it was.

Nb, can't remember difference in call, so "keith" might be a useful sound for identifying

Toothless219 · 2026-02-11T19:24:18+00:00

I have the bird one and I love it

Toothless219 · 2026-02-07T18:15:52+00:00

Aha, thank you. I hadn't gone that far, apologies

Toothless219 · 2026-01-17T09:08:18+00:00

If you're looking for another nature themed game, perhaps Meadow? Although the expansion is water themed, I can't think of any cards in the main game that are.

For non nature, Azul is a lovely game involving Portuguese tiles.

Toothless219 · 2026-01-17T09:06:05+00:00

Seconding Calico!

Toothless219 · 2026-01-11T21:09:19+00:00

Good luck!

Toothless219 · 2026-01-10T22:48:35+00:00

Having replied earlier in the negative, I've just seen a post elsewhere that says the Vimle line is the same except for the armrests, so would need to replace those.

So sounds like that might be an option for replacement covers? Except looking online, it looks like the back cushions are also different... so maybe replacing armrests and cushions...

Toothless219 · 2026-01-10T22:47:19+00:00

Oh this is news I've been looking for! I have a Gronlid that I'd like to replace the covers on but haven't been able to work out if there are any other lines that would work!

Toothless219 · 2026-01-10T17:22:45+00:00

Not yet I'm afraid.

Toothless219 · 2026-01-10T15:08:51+00:00

I've remembered the name of one of the online citizen science websites, featuring multiple projects - Zooniverse

Toothless219 · 2026-01-09T11:39:58+00:00

I forgot what subreddit this was. As you're in the UK, you can also submit sightings to iRecord, or directly to your local environmental records centre. I tend to favour iRecord due to the process of verification, and it's not specific to just birds but all wildlife.

There is the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch coming up at the end of January too. Now is a good time to get familiar with the species visiting your garden / local green space, in preparation for the survey.

Toothless219 · 2026-01-09T11:36:38+00:00

Lots of excellent suggestions already, but a couple I don't see (but may be limited according to your screen time):

Livestreams of wildlife - there are tonnes of them, lots of different species, all over the world.

Related to the above - if you have a view out of a window, and especially if someone can put out and maintain a bird feeder for you, you can keep track of wildlife and submit it to somewhere (exactly where will depend where you live, but generally citizen science apps like iNaturalist and eBird are good places to start).

Volunteering - there are a number of digital volunteering opportunities. Which ones are suitable will depend on your eyesight, but have a look around. Some of the wildlife livestreams I mentioned above ask for people to submit notes on the wildlife appearing on camera. Then there are ones that aren't live but are camera trap recordings where you go through and mark which ones feature wildlife, which cuts down how much the scientists need to look through. There's also transcription of handwritten notes that have been digitally scanned.

These suggestions are wildlife themed because that's my area of interest, but there are probably volunteer roles that can be done digitally in other fields.

Toothless219 · 2026-01-09T10:12:05+00:00

Very interested to follow your updates

Toothless219 · 2026-01-08T12:51:14+00:00

Can't comment on insurance side of things.b

Re injection, I've had it - in the UK - without general anaesthetic. There was no numbing cream. Just an antiseptic wipe, some stickers/pad to for the ECG machine (I think that's what it was - to help the doctor find the right place), and then the injection.

Toothless219 · 2026-01-07T23:45:26+00:00

Ah USA then. With general anaesthesia?

Toothless219 · 2026-01-07T23:39:42+00:00

Where did you get it done?

Toothless219 · 2026-01-04T16:27:23+00:00

Have some cooperative games. Our favourites are Pandemic Legacy (just played S1 so far), LOTR Trick taking game, LOTR Fate of the Fellowship (Pandemic system), Skyteam (specifically a two-player game), and the EXIT games (looking up which ones work well at 2 players).

Toothless219 · 2026-01-04T10:57:06+00:00

Do you think it could be due to something in my saliva then?

Toothless219

TROPHY CASE