image courtesy of wikimedia commons
We linked to this project in our last link roundup, but I though it deserved its own post. The Lost Ladybug Project is a citizen science initiative out of Cornell University asking people all over North America to identify and report ladybugs they see in their area, so that these sightings can be mapped and collected in a database. Apparently some sketchy things are going on with our ladybug populations (as if the whole bee thing isn’t traumatic enough) and they’re trying to get a handle on it. From their website:
Across North America ladybug species composition is changing. Over the past twenty years native ladybugs that were once very common have become extremely rare. During this same time ladybugs from other parts of the world have greatly increased both their numbers and range. This is happening very quickly and we don’t know how, or why, or what impact it will have on ladybug diversity or the role that ladybugs play in keeping plant-feeding insect populations low. We’re asking you to join us in finding out where all the ladybugs have gone so we can try to prevent more native species from becoming so rare.
arggh…
But still….ladybugs!!! Check out their website. It looks like a fun thing to do, for both kids or grownups. Part of the fun is learning to tell the difference between the different types of ladybugs. There’s lots of educational resources for homeschoolers and teachers. And yes, there’s even an ap for it.
It might be a little late in the year for the best counting, but I’m going to go out in the garden and see what I can find.
I have only seen one ladybug this year and have no idea what kind it was. One year, I had thousnds in windows and along the very top of walls. That year, and for several years thereafter, I was continually rescuing them from food I had cooked, food I was trying to eat, the refrigerator, freezer, and my hair. Ladybugs floated in the commode, my milk, and water that was put on to boil. I had never hurt a ladybug, but finally I just took a vacuum wand to the ones in never-ending lines along the ceiling. Now, I really feel bad. So, I will hunt and photograph ladybugs, for atonement.
Are you sure they weren’t Asian beetles? They’re not native, so maybe you were helping!
I hadn’t really recognized it until I saw this post but – I usually have a TON of ladybugs at my house, and I’ve only seen a couple this year… 🙁
The problem is, of course, due to governmental agency intervention… http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/foresthealth/ladybeetle.html
The non-native Japanese beetle has greatly displaced our black spotted red little friends.
Thanks for your wonderful write up! We write everyone who uploads photos and let them know what kind of ladybug they have found. Also you can search all 27,000+ photos to see what kinds have been found in your area. For good news and updates check out our facebook page.
Leslie
Thanks for what you’re doing!!!