| Lucky Ladybugs The gardeners best friend! |
 |
| A popular symbol of springtime is the speckled, miniature dome of a ladybug as it strolls along a plant stem looking for its favorite meal of a plump, juicy, lime green aphid. Of all the creepy crawlies, ladybugs are the most beloved and respected of insects.Lady "bugs" are a group of beetles that are also known as ladybird beetles or lady beetles. They are harmless to humans and are often considered cute by people who don't like other insects. Some people think ladybugs are a sign of good luck.Ladybugs are small and usually quite round in shape. The color on the wing covers (elytra) can be yellow, orange, or red and often has small black dots on it. Some species are solid black. If disturbed by a predator, ladybugs can release a foul-smelling chemical from their "knees" to keep enemies away. |
 |
| There is nothing ladylike about a ladybug's appetite: thankfully, an adult may eat up to 75 aphids per day! They also eat other harmful insects like fruit flies, thrips, and mites. If it weren't for these charming little insects, the roses in my garden would be wrinkled and puckered, and their new leaves would emerge with curled edges do to the fact that these little "suckers" damage roses by piercing the plant tissue and then they literally suck out all the vital plant juices. Aphids are wee little plant vampires! When I discover a ladybug or two in my rose garden heading towards a patch of aphids, you can hear me gleefully singing "Bad bugs, bad bugs, what 'cha going to do? What 'cha going to do, cuz my ladybug friends are coming for you?" |
 |
| Want more ladybugs in your garden? Plant pollinator-friendly plants such as chives, dills, dandelions, or marigolds. Its like putting out a WELCOME! banner to these beloved bugs! |
 |
| The ladybug is considered good luck in various countries around the world. In the U.S. many are familiar with some of these stories. It is said that if a ladybug lands on you and then flies away on its own it is good luck. A rhyme can be recited to urge it to depart. It starts:Ladybug, Ladybug fly away home. Your house is on fire and your children are gone.There are variations on this song by region and country. In parts of central Europe and in Sweden, the belief is that if a ladybug crawls across a maiden's hand she would soon be married; Germans believe that if there are less than seven spots you are guaranteed a good harvest; in England each spot means a lucky month to come; in French vineyards, and in Austria, ladybugs bring good weather. Canadians say that you should make a wish and let the ladybug fly away--the direction it flies too shows the direction from which your wish will come.Ladybugs are the official state insect of Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Tennessee. How interesting that such a tiny insect can make such a vast difference in the world! |
| There are only 62 more days until the 2025 Tour! We have 45+ beautiful gardens for your viewing pleasure on Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 4th. You can find the Tour Guide soon on our website or at one of our participating garden centers!Looking forward to seeing you in the garden, Your MLH newsletter editor, Cindie Reilly |
