Loving ladybugs this week!

[science_spot]

The past few days there has been a noticeable ladybug population hanging out around ouur house.  Some of them manage to get in and fly around (we sortof like this), and there are dozens of them crawling around the back of our house.  My understanding is that now is the time they flock to homes and other structures, looking for a place to hide away for the winter.

Now is also and excellent time to take part in the Lost Ladybug Project.  I posted about this once before, but they are hard to find in the summer.  Now that they are coming right to the house, and the temperature is colder so they move slower, it is much easier to collect and identify them.

Start with their website.  Then find and photograph ladybugs.  Identify them if you can.  Send in your pictures!  This is a great stepping stone to studying more about bugs and how they are preparing for winter.  They have some learning resources (free), too!

Abby and I identified about 15 ladybugs last night.  At first I was exicted because I thought we had a few different types, but upon further inspection (before they started flying around the house (oops, lol)..... we decided they are all the menacing Multicolored Asians.  But it was a fun exercise nonetheless.  What did you find?

Tonya

AKA sunmoonstars

The Science Spot

 

 

[sati769leigh]

Oct. 24, 2009 at 7:00 AM

oh yeah we had a total invasion this week of the asian ladybugs! LOL hate those things!

[auroragold]

Oct. 24, 2009 at 7:28 AM

I think that the Praying Mantis who took up residence with us this summer is one happy camper with a full belly.  He guards our front door (I've had to help him relocate so we can get in/out of the door without DD freaking out) and we are strangely short of ladybugs this year!

[JHall]

Oct. 24, 2009 at 7:37 AM

I love the lady bugs,  as for my soon to be 4 yo  she freaked out yesterday and stomped one cause she said it was gonna bite her...LOL  I think it was about to die anyway kinda moving slow and in circles.  I always found it odd that some how they find their way inside.  When I was little I remember going to this womans house I think it was summer and her house was full of them all over the walls and everything.  Being a little kid I thought it was cool,   after that I always called the house " The ladybug house " Never knew the womans name.

[science_spot]

Oct. 24, 2009 at 10:00 AM

JHall - the ladybugs slow down and go in circles as they get cold.  As the temperature falls, the ladybugs (and other bugs) slow down and get ready to lie dormant for the winter.

That sounds like a very fun house to visit as a child :)

(Original Poster)

[Momforhealth]

Oct. 24, 2009 at 10:37 AM

Ladybugs are good luck. My children's bedroom seems to be a place to find lady bugs.  We always find many colors too.  I'm curious now to find out if they are all indeed ladybugs because I have always wondered. I never took the time to find out. We always bring them back out and put them in the garden

[mommypip]

Oct. 24, 2009 at 1:06 PM

Please take mine then! I hate waking up with them crawling on me! ~shiver~

[Liansmommie]

Oct. 24, 2009 at 4:02 PM

occasionly we find them out by the pool and Lian loves to rescue them. I am a severe bugophobe but ladybugs and butterflies are about the only creatures I can handle without major freakout. Lian and I  explored the ID function. We can't agree on what they look like, He swears they have spots but I am sure they don't. We'll just have to wait until we see another. =D

[arthistmom]

Oct. 25, 2009 at 1:01 PM

Alas, we haven't had a ladybug infestation here, or else my budding entomologist would have noticed it. :)

[mrsjosey1018200]

Oct. 25, 2009 at 2:18 PM

i love the ladybugs :) DD loves to pick them up and let them walk on her hand. We dont have any in the house, but i remember last year my mom had about 20 in her kitchen, they would just sit on the wall. she didnt bother them, and then they all left. seemingly overnight.

[Learner]

Oct. 25, 2009 at 2:48 PM

These are not lady bugs. They are a mean species of beatles which sting when pressed and let off a very offensive odor when killed.