Lady bugs breeding on a tree at my work...Pictures of them and their eggs included!!

[JSVDP]

I work as a toddler teacher at a day care. Out in the yard there is one tree. It doesnt seem very special in any way. Just a regular little tree. This afternoon I was outside wth some of the older kids when one of them came to me to tell me that there were lady bugs on the tree "There all over it!!" is what she said.
I went over to see and she was right, the three was just about covered in Lady Bugs, big ones and little baby ones, And ALOT of them were "giving eachother piggy back rides"(in the words of the children). Yes they were mating. Further inspection I found several patches of eggs throughout the branches and in the nooks and crannies, with lady bugs still laying them.
I had to call my husband to bring my camera so I could get pictures and by the time he got it there most of the lady bugs had gone, but there were still a few doing thier thing and of course te eggs where still there. I have decided what I will do is every day go out and take pictures of the eggs and the lady bugs until they hatch. I have never ever seen a lady bug egg, and would love to document this. I am going to post daily(if I can) and give updates on what we have now named "The Lady Bug Tree".
Here are the pictures:
I took this picture at 6pm, we found them around 4pm, so who knows how long they have been mating.

Here is one of the first batches of eggs



Another happy couple

Momma laying her eggs


I do look forward to hearing your comments...

[v_clar]

Apr. 17, 2009 at 2:05 AM

How totally cool! Thanks for sharing.

[babymomma0306]

Apr. 17, 2009 at 2:15 AM

To Cool!!! I'm gonna copy these for my son's head start class (well, not the mating *LOL* but the bugs and eggs). Thanks.

[amj616]

Apr. 17, 2009 at 8:50 AM

Wow that is so neat!

[Marine_Mommy4]

Apr. 18, 2009 at 1:35 AM

That is so cool!!!  I've never seen lady bug eggs either.  Who knew they looked like that?!  So I'm assuming that the red lady bugs are female because well you do the math and look @ the pics again.  If you didn't notice it, with a second look you will.  LOL!  Too funny! 

Thanks for sharing!