This is the first post in a new series I’m starting called Backyard Bug Study. The first bug I’d like to introduce to you is the ladybug. I chose the ladybug to study first because it is pretty common to find and it is an interesting bug.
Ladybugs are easy to spot. Many have a red oval body with black spots, and a black head with mandibles. They have six legs, which means they are an insect. There are over 5,000 different species of these little bugs, and they don’t all look the same. Lady bugs are loved by most everyone who sees them. They mostly live in warm areas with lots of food. Forests and gardens are the main areas they live in because aphids are found there.
How to Catch Ladybugs.
Once you find them, they are also very easy to catch! The easiest way to catch a ladybug without harming it, would be to get a bug house and put it in their path so they most likely will crawl right on in! Try something sweet such as sugar-water, to help them find the house. You can also use a bug catcher vacuum.
How to study ladybugs.
What good is catching a ladybug if your not going to study it? Some of the most common ways to study a ladybug would be: A Bug microscope/magnifying glass, Books about them, and maybe even an anatomy work.
Legs
There are mostly three different kinds of bugs, the one with 6 legs, the ones with 8 legs, and the ones with no legs. Ladybugs are under the category 6 legs. We’ll be studying all of the kinds later on.
Friend or Foe
Some bugs can be pretty aggressive, such as: Wasps, Yellow Jackets, Fire Ants, etc. But then there are also bugs that aren’t aggressive, but just don’t help the environment, such as: Ticks, Termites, mites, and more of the sort. And last but not least, there are friendly ones, that help plants, like: Bees, Ladybugs, Butterflies, and other many other bugs.
Food Chain
What are the ladybug’s predictors? And also their food? The Ladybug actually has many predators: Dragonflies, Wasps, Ants, Tree Frogs, and many more. The ladybugs have a few things to eat: Aphids, Other Animals Eggs, mites.
How to attract ladybugs
Ladybugs can be attracted by food, such as Aphids..a way to get Aphids to come to your garden is Nasturtium, Aphids favorite food. They also eat pollen, so flowers may also help attract ladybugs to your garden.
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