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| Wonderful Bug Trapper available at Lee Valley Tools |
Coccinellidae is a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds, or ladybugs (North America). Scientists increasingly prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles[2] as these insects are not true bugs.A few species are considered pests in North America and Europe, but they are generally considered useful insects as many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places. Harmonia axyridis (or the Harlequin ladybug) was introduced into North America from Asia in 1988 to control aphids but is now the most common species as it is out-competing many of the native species.[5]
Coccinelle (PR: kox-ee-nell: FR) is the nick name for our granddaughter: Isabelle Coccinelle. Her big sister, Josephine, wanted that to be her sister's name. It is a fine one, too! It rhymes nicely. Mommy & Papa went with Isabelle, instead!
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| Caitlin & Isabelle |
We have found many 'close eyes' coccinelle for Isabelle.They are on many things, like a pillow!
Here is my daughter and her daughter, with closed eyes.
But, back to my lady beetle. They are plentiful. Currently looking for a warm shelter for winter, they gather in nooks and crannies, near doors. They fly in with you. And the little suckers are biting like mad. They think you are an aphid. The aphids are asleep, as most of the flowers in my garden have died.
This is what I use to catch them! Sometimes later in winter I place them on my indoor plants just in case I have bugs in them!From the Citizen:
This insect has popped up in Ontario before, though. In 2001, some vintage Ontario wines faced a plague of the insects, which led to the smell of Asian ladybugs polluting the wines — an aroma compared to "rancid peanut butter."
Unfortunately the native red ladybugs are almost gone now, as a result of the introduction of these foreign ones. It isn't just the loss of something "cute" - there could be measurable damage to the ecosystem down the road.
If you see any of the native red kind, please report them here.
2 comments:
Bill swears they bite and we argue about that -- he will be glad to see your corroberation. (If I tell him ;>)!)...
I used to love ladybugs until one Fall when they invaded our RV -- I had to vacuum them up, they were thick in every nook and hidden cranny -- the window sills, lamps etc...there was no getting rid of them otherwise. They don't smell good even if they don't bite you.
We get gatherings of those Asian lady beetles about this time of year in VT. I can stand them a little bit better than cluster flies.
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