Ladybird Larvae

I spent an hour on the meadows yesterday, to be honest the weather at the time I was there was not too good. I did however find a new butterfly on the site for me, a Small Copper (see gallery). There were not many dragonflies around other than a couple of Common Darters. I did notice these interesting prehistoric looking creatures on a leaf. They are ladybird larvae. I think the other creatures on the leaf are aphids of some sort. Are the ladybird larvae eating them?

7 Spot Ladybird Larvae