August 7, 2023: Ladybugs: The Gardener’s Best Friend
Who has not seen that small red-winged insect with numerous black spots? And who does not remember the Mother Goose rhyme:
Ladybug, ladybug fly away home,
Your house is on fire and your children are gone,
All except one,
And her name is Ann,
And she hid under the baking pan.
For most of us, when we think of ladybugs (or more correctly lady beetles), we think of the small red insect with black spots. But some are yellow with black spots or even black and white or dark blue and orange. There are approximately 5,000 different species of ladybugs of which 450 live in North America. Some species use camouflage coloration to match the vegetation when they are in hibernation and later develop the characteristic bright colors to warn off predators during their mating season. In our area, the most common ladybug is the 7-spotted ladybug. (Also, of note is that the ladybug is the state bug of our neighbor state, Delaware.)
Ladybugs are considered a gardener’s (and farmer’s) best friend as they are beneficial predators of plant pests. They feed on soft-bodied insects such as scale insects, whiteflies, mites, and aphids. This makes them valuable allies for gardeners and farmers and significantly reduces the need for chemical pesticides which harms the environment and potentially contaminates soil and water sources. Beyond their pest control abilities, ladybugs also serve as essential biodiversity indicators. Be aware that there is a similar-looking insect, the squash beetle (a type of ladybug). This is a yellow or orange beetle with seven large black spots on each wing covering.
Ladybug populations appear to be facing population declines. Climate change, pollution, and habitat loss all contribute to this decline. Climate factors (such as rising temperatures and heat waves) and changes in landscape composition effects ladybug habitat, while pesticide use further threatens their numbers. Ladybugs, the tiny yet mighty beetles, deserve our attention and protection. Conserving ladybugs starts with individual actions such as restoring their habitats and avoiding the unnecessary use of harmful pesticides.
Remember: Be Respectful of Nature!
Wilbur B. Amand, VMD