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The Lost Ladybug Project
- Aug 2, 2009 at 7:01 AM
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Did you know native ladybugs may be endangered in the United States? In recent years, ladybugs that used to be common in North America have been disappearing, replaced with exotic species. Here's a great easy, FREE activity for kids of all ages - to learn about nature, ecosystems, bugs and how they affect humans....
Photo from Canada.com
Funded by the National Science Foundation and led by Cornell University's College of Agricultural and Life Science' Department of Entymology (this is the same school that hosts the Great Backyard Bird Count in the spring), this project aims to get a count of ladybug species throughout the USA IN YOUR BACKYARD! This is another great "citizen science project" that allows kids (and adults) to help gather data for scientists to use in a real study.
Step-by-step, here's how to help with this fun easy project (no backyard needed - try your local park).
1. Learn a little bit about ladybugs. Start with the Lost Ladybug's website, and look around. Learn about which species are missing, which are still common, and which exotic species have been taking over. The great thing about ladybugs is that they are fairly easy to identify the different species based on the black marks on their red bodies (and they are cute). They have lesson plans, free printables and other learning ideas for FREE! You could also make an easy ladybug craft or do a painting project with red and black. a study on ladybugs is a great introduction into the world of bugs. Wikipedia National Geographic Ladybug Lady Ladybug Life Cycle
2. Go out and find some ladybugs. Take your camera! It's best if you leave every ladybug you find right where he is. Don't collect them all and bring them home, and don't kill any! All you need to do is take a picture (no flash) on the plainest background you can, to show off his spots. A piece of gray construction paper works fine.
3. Report your results back to the website. Even if you searched and didn't find any, the scientists would like to know, so report your results on their website!
4. Repeat as much as you can this summer. It would be great if you tell your friends, too, if you have great results or you made this a great project with YOUR kids. I know my little girl is going to like this one. We are ging to try to build the sweep net today :)
5. Take it to the next level. If you find alot of bugs, you can easily make this a science fair project or experiment. Check out my past post on activities and projects. What question could you ask and then answer using the scientific method? Is the ladybug (or spider, or firefly) distribution different in your backyard and your relative's backyard an hour away? Is there a difference in ladybug activity in April versus August? Do ladybugs prefer a certain kind of plants?
WHY??
First, it helps scientists understand how the ladybug population is changing, and what effects that could have on humans, particularly in terms of crop's pest control.
Second, they are just so cute!
I love ladybugs on things like this picture from art.com:
Or these shoes from totsnob!
My personal favorite - Ladybug USB!!!
Tonya
AKA sunmoonstars
Comments:
We have so many lady bugs around here. We also have another beetle that looks like a lady bug, but is much larger and they bite.I don't have a clue what they are.
t1gger - they don't have the info up on their website yet, but maybe if you try back: http://www.lostladybug.org/learning.php
Or look here - http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20o?guide=Ladybug
Or you can take their picture and email it to the LostLadybugProject and they'll tell you what it is! One year we had lots of those 'fake ladybugs' - the orangish ones that bite. Hate those :(
Thanks! Very interesting! :-)
I'm going to do this with my son. It's another thing that will keep him busy while his daddy is deployed. Thanks so much for the info!
Yay! I am happy to hear someone else will participate.
I love ladybugs...we've even had a couple come into our house and hang out on the ceiling above our lamp! LOL I guess it's nice and warm there? I don't mind, supposedly having ladybugs in your house is good luck...
They sure aren't endangered in my house lol! Their everywhere! Nothing like waking to one crawling on your face! Gah! I like them I just wish they would not crawl on me eek!
Will be doing this with our pint-sized entomologist. He LOVES ladybugs!
Incidentally, does Abby have a pair of those ladybug Mary Janes? :-)
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Meet Dodie702
This Nevada mom of two - who are just 18 months apart! - is married to her high school sweetheart and loves to craft in her free time.
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