Loving Ladybirds

As I entered the park this morning, I noticed over a dozen ladybirds on a metal gate post. Upon closer inspection I saw two were mating - please show the kids.

I did a little searching under the heading of 'How do ladybirds mate?', and learnt a few things. 

I think these three different ones are all the same species of Harlequin Ladybird, which can be very varied.  Most species only mate in May when the adults emerge from their overwintering state, but clearly not all.....

There are over 40 species classed as Ladybirds in the UK (over 3500 globally), but only 26 are easily recognisable as such. Even so 26 is quite a lot. The naming of a few of them is classic - 2 spot, 10 spot, 22 spot, etc.

And another Blip first for me, I have never seen Ladybirds mating before.