World Ladybug Day or World Ladybird day is a day in honor of one of the most famous and cute beetles in the world. The shape of the ladybug is oval spherical, red in color and has eight black dots, four on each wing. When the wings are closed, two points merge into one point, so it seems to have 7 dots in total on the back.
Relative to the beetles, the ladybird beetle is quite small. Its size ranges from 7.6–10.0 mm (0.3–0.4 in).
Because of its beautiful appearance, the ladybug has a reputation for being a cute animal that brings good luck, unlike other insects that usually evoke in humans a feeling of disgust.
Here are some interesting and fascinating facts about the Ladybugs:
Do not let the cute look of the beetle fool you. The ladybug is a predator. It eats mostly leaf aphids and has mouth limbs, meaning limbs that are close to the mouth and help it devour. Thanks to the fact that it eats so many aphids, it helps agriculture and that is another reason why it has become a beetle that is so endearing to humans.
The seven-spot ladybird (or ladybug) is common in large parts of the world. It can be found in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America. It is found in both forests and open areas, usually on the leaves of plants with colonies of aphids nearby.
The ladybug seems to be active mainly in the spring period. In winter she is immersed in a winter coma under the stones.
The ladybug has four stages of development: egg, larva, young ladybug and adult ladybug. When the seven-spot ladybird emerges from the pupa, the color of its wings is ranging from yellow to light orange. Only after a while does the color of the wings turn red and the black dots appear on them.
The enemies of the ladybugs are birds that feed on insects. This is why the color of the ladybird is red, a color that symbolizes in nature poison or harmful substances. When in danger the ladybird's body hardens and she pretends to be dead until the threat passes. If necessary, she is able to spray a yellow-repellent substance behind her body.
The life expectancy of the ladybug ranges from two to three years.
The scientific name of the seven-spot ladybird /ladybug in Latin is "Coccinella septempunctata" - which means: Coccine = red, septem = seven, punctus = point.
Many cultures attribute the beetle a sacredness, perhaps because the number 7 is considered a lucky number and hence the names given to it in other languages:
In English it is called Seven Spotted Ladybug or just Ladybug (in North America) and Ladybird (in Europe). Lady is a nickname for Mary, the mother of Jesus. In Russian, the beetle is called God's cow. In German it is called the Beetle of Mary (Marienkäfer), after Mary the mother of Jesus. In French the ladybug is called the beast of God (bête a bon dieu), in Spanish the holy lady of Anton (vaca de san anton), in Portuguese (Joaninha) after a Christian saint and in Roman "the bull of God" (boul lui dumnezeu). In Hebrew it is called Parat Moshe Rabbeinu. It means Moses' Cow and it is assumed that the name Moshe was chosen as a substitute for the names of the Christian saints.
How to celebrate Ladybug Day?
Go out into nature to look for ladybirds, and if you find, do not touch or harass. Only photography is allowed, but not too close. Do not take home because chances are you don't have leaf aphids at home to feed them. You can also learn about the interesting ladybug and delve deeper into reading about it.
