This is the larva of the harlequin ladybird. It has the reputation of being the most invasive insect species in the world! it originated in Asia and spread throughout North America during the 1980s and found its way to the UK in 2004 wher it has spread alarmingly. While it does eat the dreaded aphid (which is helpful) it also eats the eggs and larvae of our native ladybirds and some of our moth and butterfly eggs and caterpillers ... which is not a welcome habit!
It's an ugly looking thing - the hairs on it's back look like suckers. Let's hope there's a predator to control it real soon. Super detail on your photo though.
Nice shot, horrible insect. There are not many insects I dislike but the Harlequin tops the list. Wasn't there speculation a couple of years ago that a parasite like Cotesia Glomerata was happy to use the eggs & larvae as incubators?
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