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  • How to Attract Ladybugs to Your Garden + Why You Should

    How to Attract Ladybugs to Your Garden + Why You Should

    Ladybugs can be a very helpful ally in the fight against plant-damaging pests. Thankfully, it’s fairly easy to get these cheery bugs into your garden, with these tips and tricks. Here’s what you need to know about how to attract ladybugs to your garden—and why you should.

    Organic gardening is wonderful. It ensures that everything you grow is completely safe and natural, which is especially important when growing food.

    The only problem is that aphids like to eat organic veggies, too! Having a squad of ladybugs on patrol in the garden can do wonders to get rid of common garden pests.

    This guide will tell you everything you need to attract and keep ladybugs in your garden and why you need to. Here’s what I’ll be covering today…

    ladybugs mating on a stemladybugs mating on a stem
    Ladybugs typically mate multiple times in the spring and early summer.

    Why You Need to Know How to Attract Ladybugs

    Not only are ladybugs absolutely beautiful with their cheery signature red and polka-dotted shells, but they are one of the good bugs you want in your garden. Wondering why? It’s all about what ladybugs eat!

    Ladybugs are pest-eating superheroes! They eat all the annoying little pests that you don’t want in your garden such as:

    • aphids
    • mealybugs
    • mites
    • scale
    • and lots of other bad bugs!

    Not only do ladybugs eat pests, but they eat a lot of them. In fact, one ladybug can eat 5,000 aphids over the course of its life! See why you should learn how to attract ladybugs?

    aphids on a stem - the perfect ladybug food!aphids on a stem - the perfect ladybug food!

    Ladybug Life Cycle

    To best attract ladybugs to your garden, it’s important to understand the ladybug life cycle and what they need in each stage of it. Here is a brief overview of how ladybugs hatch and mature.

    Eggs

    Female ladybugs will lay a clutch of 10-50 bright yellow eggs on the underside of a leaf. They are careful to choose a location for their eggs that is near a large amount of food for the larvae to eat when they hatch.

    Often, ladybugs will choose areas close to large aphid populations to lay their eggs, as the aphids are a good source of food. A female ladybug will lay several egg clutches per season and can lay up to 1,000 eggs in one year!

    Larvae

    A few days after the eggs are laid, they hatch into larvae. Ladybug larvae are not quite as cute looking as the mature beetles. They have oblong bodies with spiny bumps all over them. Their bodies are mostly dark gray or black, with some bright orange or red spots or bands.

    Familiarize yourself with the way ladybug larvae look so that you can recognize them when you see them in the garden. See one pictured below!

    Larvae need to eat a lot as they go through four different larval stages to reach maturity. Lucky for us, most of what they feed on is aphids, scale, mites, and other common garden pests, so if you see a ladybug larva in your garden, be happy! They are already doing good work for you at an early age.

    ladybug larva on a leafladybug larva on a leaf
    Ladybug larvae have oblong bodies, spiny bumps, and some red or orange bands on them.

    Pupae

    When a larva is big enough (see: has eaten enough pests), it is ready to pupate. At this time, the larva attaches itself to a leaf somewhere safe, and its body undergoes a massive transformation over the course of 3-12 days. By the end of this process, the pupae’s body has formed into a mature ladybug.

    ladybug pupa on a leafladybug pupa on a leaf
    Pupae look like a ladybug molting.

    Maturity

    You can recognize a newly mature ladybug by the colour of its body. They are usually yellow or orange when they have recently finished the pupa stage and will turn bright red as they age.

    How to Attract Ladybugs

    Now that you know why you should learn how to attract ladybugs, as well as what the ladybug life cycle is, let’s talk about how to actually attract these helpful insects.

    Plant Things that Ladybugs Like to Eat

    Calendula, dill, marigold, cilantro, chives, cosmos, and yarrow are all attractive to ladybugs, so pick your favourites and plant them around the garden this year.

    Let Weeds Stay

    Ladybugs love dandelions! Embrace these golden-flowered “weeds” and let a few grow. Bonus: dandelions are edible and have a ton of health benefits.

    Give Ladybugs Water

    Leave a shallow dish of water near some of your ladybug-attracting plants so they can drink when needed. Add a few river stones or marbles to the dish to give ladybugs a place to sit as they drink. Refresh the water regularly so it doesn’t run out or become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

    Try making this bee bath, which can help any small insects get the water they need.

    ladybug on a leafladybug on a leaf
    Ladybugs like to hang out under leaves since this is where their food also hangs out!

    Keep it Organic

    Pesticides are not ladybug friendly. Stick to natural growing techniques and everyone will be happier. If you have a bad infestation, instead of using harmful chemicals, I recommend you try this natural pest control spray made with herbs.

    Grow Groundcovers

    Low-growing groundcovers protect ladybugs by sheltering them from predators such as birds and insects. Oregano and thyme are both good options.

    a ladybug hunting aphidsa ladybug hunting aphids
    Can you spot the aphids the ladybug is hunting down?

    Encourage Aphids

    A simple way to learn how to attract ladybugs is to plant some nasturtiums specifically for aphids. It will distract aphids from munching on your vegetables, and the aphids on the nasturtiums will, in turn, attract ladybugs, which will eat them up along with all sorts of other pests in your garden.

    Ladybugs will lay their eggs in an area with lots of aphids because they know their young will have a food source, so allowing a few aphids in your garden can bring you a lot more ladybugs who will grow up to patrol your whole garden and keep it safe.

    how to attract ladybugs by attracting aphidshow to attract ladybugs by attracting aphids
    Where there are aphids, there are ladybugs.

    FAQ About Ladybugs

    Why ladybugs are called ladybugs?

    Known as ladybugs in North America, “lady” originally refers to Mother Mary. European farmers would pray to the Virgin Mary whenever pests ate their crops. Since ladybugs come and eat all the bad pests, the farmers named them “beetle of Our Lady,” which was eventually shortened to “lady beetle” in the UK and “ladybug” in North America.

    What is the difference between a good ladybug and a bad ladybug?

    Ladybugs are beloved due to their cute and vibrant appearance and their habit of eating all the bad bugs in the garden. Asian lady beetles, on the other hand, are commonly mistaken for ladybugs but will actually “bite” when threatened and excrete a smelly yellow liquid from their legs. Asian lady beetles are highly invasive.

    Ladybugs tend to be more round, have black spots, are bright red when mature, and are slightly smaller. Asian lady beetles are slightly larger, come in red and orange tones, sometimes don’t have any spots, tend to be more oval, and will have a distinctive “M” shaped black marking on their white heads.

    Should I get rid of ladybugs in my house?

    Ladybugs will come into the home to stay warm and hibernate when temperatures drop. While they won’t damage your home or cause any harm, they can become annoying once inside the home. Your best bet to get rid of them is to vacuum them up and prevent them from entering in the first place by fixing any cracks and seals in the home.

    Asian lady beetle, which is commonly confused with ladybugs.

    More Beneficial Wildlife

    Stephanie Rose

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  • Eggs of grapevine-gobbling insect snagged en route to California. Are vineyards at risk?

    Eggs of grapevine-gobbling insect snagged en route to California. Are vineyards at risk?

    Eggs of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species that’s wreaked havoc on crops across more than a dozen states, were recently discovered on a metal art installation that was headed to Sonoma County, one of California’s most esteemed wine regions.

    The discovery of the infamous bug’s eggs represents the first time the insect has been seen in California. The California Assn. of Winegrape Gowers, a statewide nonprofit, warns the invasive plant-hopper native to Asia has the potential to affect the entire winegrape industry in California, potentially pushing up prices if an infestation results in a smaller grape crop.

    “Spotted lanternflies have been found in 18 states and have proven to pose a serious threat to vineyards,” Natalie Collins, president of the growers group, said. “These invasive insects feed on the sap of grapevines, while also leaving behind a sticky honeydew residue on the clusters and leaves.”

    Impacts of the stress on the plant could range from reduced yields — and fewer bottles of wine for consumers — and, if severe and persistent enough, complete vine death and higher wine prices. No adult spotted lanterflies have been reported in the state, Collins said.

    California is responsible for an average of 81% of the total U.S. wine production each year, according to the Wine Institute.

    The association warned that if there are additional egg masses in California from other shipments that haven’t been detected “they may produce adult [spotted lanternflies] in the coming weeks with peak populations expected in late summer or early fall.”

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture last year developed an action plan to try to eradicate the pests if they were to enter the state. State officials have asked the public to look for egg masses outdoors. If a bug is found, they recommend grabbing it and placing it in a container where it can’t escape, snapping a photo and reporting it to the CDFA Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899

    The metal art installation on which the eggs were found was shipped to California in late March from New York, where the insects have been a persistent problem. After 11 viable egg masses were spotted at the Truckee Border Protection Station, the 30-foot-tall artwork was sent back to Nevada, where officials discovered an additional 30 egg masses. The art was power washed with detergent and then sent on its way again to Truckee, according to the association.

    By the time the installation reached Sonoma County on April 4, the owner agreed to allow officials to open up the hollow beams in the artwork to inspect it further. Inside, they found an additional three egg masses and searched until they were confident no other eggs were present.

    Spotted lanternflies were first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014 and quickly spread to nearby states, where they became a nuisance. In New York they proved to be such a problem that officials encouraged residents to kill them on sight. The pest has become so notorious that it made an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” in a 2022 skit where one viewer applauded them for capturing “the unbelievable hubris of the lanternfly.”

    While they feed on more than 100 different plant species, they have a particular affinity for grapevines and a tree known as the “tree of heaven.” The adults, which have the ability to fly short distances, are typically 1 inch long. At rest, with its wings folded, the bug is a dull tan-gray color with black spots. During flight, its open wings feature a bright red, black and white pattern.

    The species is often described as a “hitchhiker,” since its egg masses appear similar to cakes of mud and can easily be transported on tractor trailers and semi-trucks. During the first three immature stages of the bug’s life cycle they appear to be black with white spots and later turn red and black with white spots.

    Hannah Fry

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  • Giant ‘toe biter’ found by swimmers on Mediterranean island. See the bird-eating bug

    Giant ‘toe biter’ found by swimmers on Mediterranean island. See the bird-eating bug

    On the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, beachgoers were in for a shock when a giant water bug started to appear along the shore, researchers said.

    On the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, beachgoers were in for a shock when a giant water bug started to appear along the shore, researchers said.

    Secret Travel Guide via Unsplash

    It’s the first day of your vacation on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

    You arrive at Bedis Beach, overlooking the cool blue water, and lay down your towel to claim the perfect spot.

    It’s hot, the sun is beating down and you decide to wade into the water to cool down.

    As you step closer to the waves, you see something on the sand. It’s almost 5 inches long and has pinchers protruding from its hardened body.

    Then it scurries toward you — and goes straight for your toes.

    Researchers have put Cyprus beachgoers on high alert after swimmers discovered giant water bugs on the island for the first time, according to a study published in December in the journal Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa.”

    The water bugs, also known as “toe biter” bugs, are native to nations surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Turkey and Israel, but have been absent from Cyprus shores, according to a March 20 news release in Pensoft.

    That was until a few years ago when swimmers, tourists and locals started to post sightings of the bugs on social media, according to the release.

    Locals began posting images and videos of the bugs on social media, asking what they might be, researchers said.
    Locals began posting images and videos of the bugs on social media, asking what they might be, researchers said. Screengrab from Mineş Aygün Gökalp’s Facebook post

    Lethocerus patruelis, giant water bugs or electric light bugs, are the largest bug in the heteroptera family, the researchers said, and are known for maintaining a “predatory lifestyle.”

    They regularly “prey on a variety of organisms such as invertebrates, fish, turtles and even birds,” according to the study.

    They are also unique in that once a female lays eggs along the water, the male of the species cares for them, a “rare behavior among animals,” the researchers said.

    The first sighting of the bug in Cyprus was posted to a Facebook group called “Biodiversity of Cyprus” in 2021, and it was quickly followed by photos from others who had visited the same beach on the eastern coast of the island and saw the bug, the researchers said.

    “A total of seven sightings were eventually recorded, five from social media, and two after communications between local naturalists and the authors team,” according to the study. “Out of the seven records, we managed to acquire two individuals for a thorough morphological examination.”

    The giant water bugs can grow to more than 5 inches in length and likely flew over to the island from the Mediterranean mainland, the study said.
    The giant water bugs can grow to more than 5 inches in length and likely flew over to the island from the Mediterranean mainland, the study said. Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa”

    The bugs were spotted along the east coast of Cyprus, the side halfway between Israel and Turkey, the researchers said.

    They were also primarily found dead, or died soon after being captured, the researchers said, which suggests “they probably flew to Cyprus from the neighboring mainland.”

    “The specimens landed exhausted on the shoreline,” according to the study, “or in some cases in the sea, which could indicate that they were transferred by wind or sea currents from nearby countries.”

    The researchers didn’t find any of the bugs when they searched nearby waterways, suggesting the bug has not yet made a home on the island. But, because so many arrived in a short period of time, the possibility of the water bugs starting a population on Cyprus is not out of the question, the researchers said.

    The bugs have not yet made a permanent home on the island, but it is a possibility, the study researchers said.
    The bugs have not yet made a permanent home on the island, but it is a possibility, the study researchers said. Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa.”

    The bug is referred to as a “vicious hunter” and has “a reputation of inflicting very painful bites when handled carelessly,” according to the release. Researchers warn a resident population of the bug could cause issues for beaches and coastlines heavily populated by locals and tourists alike.

    “Naturalists looking for alien-like critters can provide valuable information on the presence and a possible establishment of the species through citizen science,” the researchers said in the release. “Cypriots should keep their eyes open and their toes out of the water.”

    Cyprus is an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Part of the divided island is independent while part, the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is solely recognized by Turkey. The eastern coastline and Bedis Beach, where the insects were found, fall under the Turkish-controlled region.

    Irene Wright is a McClatchy Real-Time reporter. She earned a B.A. in ecology and an M.A. in health and medical journalism from the University of Georgia and is now based in Atlanta. Irene previously worked as a business reporter at The Dallas Morning News.

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  • A Stick that Walks | Show Me Nature Photography

    A Stick that Walks | Show Me Nature Photography

    Today’s post features an insect I have always been interested in … the Walking Stick. Every time I see one, I am amazed at the camouflage ability of this guy in the garden. I was lucky this time … as he moved across the mulched garden bed, it was easy to see him as he rested in my cast shadow on the bed!

    Photographic Equipment Used:

    James Braswell

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