Ladybug Land

Do you know what a ladybug looks like in its larvae stage?  I sure didn't before yesterday!  To go along with our science theme for this summer, we have purchased a ladybug habitat.

Yesterday the ladybugs arrived, although, I would have never recognized the bugs as ladybugs and have probably squashed a few in this state.  Oops. 

Over the next week, they will eat and grow, and then they will attach themselves to the walls of the habitat and become pupae, before finally transforming to ladybugs.  Hopefully, we will be able to watch them a few days and then turn them loose.

Did you know that ladybugs are considered useful insects because they eat aphids and other crop destroying pests?  Their trademark bright colors and spots are meant to be a warning to predators that they taste bad, and in fact, ladybugs can secrete a foul tasting fluid from joints in their legs to discourage predators from eating them.  Ladybugs do not just come in red varieties, but can also be pink, yellow, white, orange, and black.  There are over 300 types of ladybugs in North America.

Come on in and watch our ladybugs develop!!!

Information found at www.ladybuglady.com and www.nationalgeographic.com