I love my ladybugs

Kids clothes are so cute and can make almost any insect look harmless.  Here Sophia is impressed with an outfit that I found that has a cheery flower and ladybugs on it. 

 

Now – you have to understand I “hate” insects like big time – we can talk about my therapy later, but I really HATE insects.  That being said, I don’t even like butterflies either – like moths, they flit and I can’t handle that.  BUT, I do like ladybugs.  They don’t intimidate me. I know God created everything – and all is good and for a reason, but I just wish he hadn’t made insects needed in the system of life.

In Leviticus 11:21

²¹ There are, however, some winged creatures that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. ²² Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. ²³ But all other winged creatures that have four legs you are to detest.

OK well, sorry – not interested in them for a vitamin boost to my diet either! I can do the “detest” part and justify my hate for insects if I use this scripture out of context – which I’ll do to support my lack of insect love!  (Tongue in cheek here – hope you are at least smiling on the inside!)

 Ladybug education:

 

Ladybugs (also called lady birds and lady beetles) are small, oval-shaped winged insects. These shiny insects are usually red with black spots or black with red spots on the wing covers. The number of spots identifies the type of ladybug. Most ladybugs are less than 1/4 inch (4-8 mm) long. As ladybugs age, the color of the spots fade. Birds are the major predator of the ladybug. Ladybugs will play dead when threatened.

These tiny predators are usually very welcome in gardens because ladybug larvae and adults eat aphids, mealybugs, and mites (which are garden pests). Ladybug larvae can eat about 25 aphids a day; adults can eat over 50. There are about 5,000 different species of ladybugs throughout the world. A common species is the two-spotted ladybug; it is orange red with one black spot on each wing cover. We had these mostly in Canada where I grew up.

The ladybug, like all beetles, undergoes a complete metamorphosis during its life. The life stages of the ladybug are: egg --> larva --> pupa --> adult.

Ladybugs live in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, grasslands, gardens, and even in people's houses.  In 1999 NASA took 4 ladybugs to space to watch them eat aphids in zero gravity – result was they did good in space.

 Ok – that is probably more than you wanted to know about Ladybugs.  It is plenty for me – I think I’ll go hug a soft stuffed animal of Sophia’s that isn’t an INSECT...back to the therapy thing~! 

 "Mommy, what are ya doin?"  
"Sweetie, I'm just lovin' my little ladybug!"