Caroline, I wish I could say they showed up on their own, but I purchased them. I was having a serious lack of ladybug visits, and the aphids were getting out of control. I went through a little guilt because I have no idea whether I’m pushing out native ladybugs by bringing in outside reinforcements — hopefully, they’re all the same species! However, the aphids were getting bad, my son asked about ladybugs while we were at the nursery and they happened to have them, and then when we released the bugs at dusk, it was about the coolest thing EVER. They feasted immediately, and they are still out there munching away.
Wiseacre, the theme here is Superhero, and if superhero men can wear underwear and capes and get away with it, then ladybugs can wear polka dots! 🙂
Wonderful! I’ve had only seen one ladybug all season. Unfortunately, a mosquito truck comes by once a week and I wonder if that has something to do with the lack of ladybugs and other bugs in white hats. How I long for a ladybug feast happening on my roses.
Meredith, you have one amazing camera that can capture such beauty macro-style! I always enjoy your photos. I just LOVE ladybugs! They are so dang cute and hard working mamas. BTW, have you ever gotten bit by one? I didn’t know they can bite until we had a hoard of them in our yard and they were flying on me and the next thing you know, I’m feeling tiny little pricks. Huh.
Interesting tidbit, Miss Daisy — I didn’t realize that. Actually I did some Googling after I read your comment, and it sounds like it’s just certain species that sometimes bite. Apparently domestic ladybugs don’t bite, and Asian lady beetles, which now have spread throughout the U.S., do bite. They look a lot alike though, which is why they call them the evil twins! Apparently, not only do Asian lady beetles bite, but people can be very allergic to them! Check them out — you can tell them apart by the M on the front.
Hi Meredith,
I have enjoyed your blog so much that I have nominated you for a MeMe, 7 things about yourself and nominations of 7 other garden bloggers. Visit my blog to accept! And thanks for the wonderful ladybug images, can’t wait to hear how your cantaloupes turn out!
Haha that was a great tagline… “Saving the world from organized aphid crime”. Thanks for the laugh. I also really enjoyed the close up photos. Hopefully they keep all the little aphids in check.
Oh, it’s so funny! Those ladies are cute and hard working!
Yay! Did you purchase those, or did they show up on their own?
Ya got to wonder about their tastes though. Eating aphids and wearing polka dots gives me the willies.
Caroline, I wish I could say they showed up on their own, but I purchased them. I was having a serious lack of ladybug visits, and the aphids were getting out of control. I went through a little guilt because I have no idea whether I’m pushing out native ladybugs by bringing in outside reinforcements — hopefully, they’re all the same species! However, the aphids were getting bad, my son asked about ladybugs while we were at the nursery and they happened to have them, and then when we released the bugs at dusk, it was about the coolest thing EVER. They feasted immediately, and they are still out there munching away.
Wiseacre, the theme here is Superhero, and if superhero men can wear underwear and capes and get away with it, then ladybugs can wear polka dots! 🙂
I haven’t seen one single ladybird this summer. They have all obviously taken the words of the rhyme to heart and all flown away! 🙁 Val
can i hire one of your little hitmen? hehe i need to go get some actually. the milkweed is being feasted on by those little buggars!
the ladybugs have indeed been scarse this Summer, we seen very few. I loved you photo’s of the action in your garden.
Wonderful! I’ve had only seen one ladybug all season. Unfortunately, a mosquito truck comes by once a week and I wonder if that has something to do with the lack of ladybugs and other bugs in white hats. How I long for a ladybug feast happening on my roses.
Beautiful photographs -how do you get the bugs to pose?
Meredith, you have one amazing camera that can capture such beauty macro-style! I always enjoy your photos. I just LOVE ladybugs! They are so dang cute and hard working mamas. BTW, have you ever gotten bit by one? I didn’t know they can bite until we had a hoard of them in our yard and they were flying on me and the next thing you know, I’m feeling tiny little pricks. Huh.
Interesting tidbit, Miss Daisy — I didn’t realize that. Actually I did some Googling after I read your comment, and it sounds like it’s just certain species that sometimes bite. Apparently domestic ladybugs don’t bite, and Asian lady beetles, which now have spread throughout the U.S., do bite. They look a lot alike though, which is why they call them the evil twins! Apparently, not only do Asian lady beetles bite, but people can be very allergic to them! Check them out — you can tell them apart by the M on the front.
Hi Meredith,
I have enjoyed your blog so much that I have nominated you for a MeMe, 7 things about yourself and nominations of 7 other garden bloggers. Visit my blog to accept! And thanks for the wonderful ladybug images, can’t wait to hear how your cantaloupes turn out!
Haha that was a great tagline… “Saving the world from organized aphid crime”. Thanks for the laugh. I also really enjoyed the close up photos. Hopefully they keep all the little aphids in check.