Top left
shows a few of the countless variations found in the many species.
Top right
is a photo of a LadyBug with wings extended for flight.
Blue Insert
is the LadyBug Larvae which may be even more voracious than the adult.
Red Insert
is the native species found in the Eastern United States, prior to the
introduction of the Asian species which now seems to dominate the landscape.
The native species is smaller
and more elongated rather than being so round. And unlike many species,
the smaller Thorax is colored the same as the much larger Wing Covers (elytra),
as seen in the photo. This coloration is nearly always black dots
on red.
Yellow Insert
is the top view of the elongated Eggs which are laid on the under side
of growing leaves. The edge of a Penny can be seen for size comparison.
The Lady bug seems to select vegetation preferred by Aphids so there is
a supply of Aphid Larvae.
Bottom
is a Hibernation congregation. These concentrations form in protected Winter
locations, and may contain many hundreds of individuals, which indicates
a healthy population that should make their mark on the local Aphid population
next Summer.
In Spring the Females
disburse to lay about 2 dozen eggs, which hatch in 3 to 5 days. The Larvae
search for their favorite prey which is usually Aphids. Depending on the
location and availability of food, they may prefer different species and
may even revert to eating their own kind.
After about 2 weeks, the Larvae
change to Pupae and then to Adults. From Egg to Adult takes about a month.
It is thought they may possibly live for 2 years, in which time they would
eat thousands of Larvae and have hundreds of offspring with a similar
appetite.
They are responsible for the
childhood poem:
- - -
Ladybug! Ladybug!
Fly away home.
Your house is on fire. And your
children all gone.
All except one, And that's little
Ann,
For she crept under The frying
pan.
- - -
What could possibly have prompted
those words?
If LadyBugs become a nuisance
inside your warm winter home. Do NOT try to brush or sweep them as they
may emit an unpleasant odor and stain surfaces with their defensive secretion.
This action may cause discomfort to persons with Asthma or Allergies.
A piece of window screen shaped
like a cone, and inserted into the end of a Vacuum Cleaner Hose will collect
them safely so you can release them in your GreenHouse. Or put them in
a container with an air hole in the lid and keep them in your refrigerator
until Spring, when they can help rid your garden of Aphids and other insect
pests.
Or you can buy them from your
Garden Center, but a Word of Caution: LadyBugs living in your area may
be more dependable than those you import, since their natural inclination
is to disburse and populate new areas away from the scent of their own
species.
Lady
Bugs
