Just like a period at the end of a sentence, this ladybug reminds us to stop and take in our surroundings. She also looks like a red light amidst all that green.
Ladybugs are a beloved insect, entertaining children around the world with their bright color and round shape. Gardeners love them because they keep pests like aphids at bay. There are over 5,000 species of ladybugs around the world and 450 kinds live in North America alone. The ladybug’s black spots and bright colors keep predators away; if that doesn’t work, they secrete a foul-tasting liquid from their legs.
Here are some fun facts about ladybugs:
- Ladybugs can come in black, yellow, white, orange and pink.
- Some ladybugs don’t have spots.
- During cold weather, ladybugs hibernate in large groups.
Thanks to CU photographer rachhuddleston for her ladybug photo! Check out her gallery Good Bugs and Other Garden Critters for more insect wonders.
And don’t forget to submit your photos to the CU photo-sharing site for a chance to be the Photo of the Week! Each week the Photo of the Week is taken from that week’s submissions. You could also be featured in the magazine sometime.
Emylisa Warrick is an Online Editorial Assistant at Ogden Publications, the parent company of MOTHER EARTH NEWS. Find her on Google+.
