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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
I have decided to post this one from last year begin of summer, till "fresh" subjects will appear!
Ladybirds, also known as ladybugs, or lady beetles (some scientists favor this) are a family, Coccinellidae ("little sphere"), of (Insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings) beetles; the name is thought to allude to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the (A member of a Catholic church) Catholic faith. Ladybirds are found worldwide, with over 4,500 species described. Ladybirds are small (Small air-breathing arthropod) insects, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are usually yellow, orange, or red with small black spots on their carapace, and black legs, head and feelers. As the family name suggests, they are usually quite round in shape.
Because they are useful, colorful, and harmless to humans, ladybugs are typically considered cute even by people who hate most insects.
Ladybirds are beneficial to organic gardeners because most species are insectivores, consuming aphids, fruit flies, (Any of various small to minute sucking insects with narrow feathery wings if any; they feed on plant sap and many are destructive) thrips, and other tiny plant-sucking (Small air-breathing arthropod) insects that damage crops. In fact, their name is derived from "Beetle of Our Lady", recognizing their role in saving crops from destruction. Today they are commercially available from a variety of suppliers.
Adult ladybirds are able to reflex-bleed from their leg joints. The blood is yellow, with a strong repellent smell, and is quite obvious when one handles a ladybird roughly. |
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