May 20, 2009 6:38 pm US/Eastern
Ladybugs Native To Northeast Are Vanishing
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Anatis mali (America eyespot ladybug) Photographed by Diane Coombs, Kelligrew, Newfoundland, Canada 7-5-2008
Diane Coombs
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Flying Harmonia axyridis (multicolored Asian ladybug) Photographed by Jon Sund in Jacksonville, Florida 12-26-2008
Jon Sund
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Chilocorus cacti (twice-stabbed ladybug) Photographed by Jon Sund in Jacksonville, Florida 12-26-2008
Jon Sund
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Cycloneda sanguinea (polished ladybug) Photographed by Lydia Sund, Vero Beach, Florida 5-10-2009
Lydia Sund
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Hippodamia convergens (convergent ladybug) Photographed by Mary Grace, Maricopa, Arizona 5-5-2009
Mary Grace
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Mating Harmonia axyridis (multicolored Asian ladybug) Photographed by Pam Philips in Watertown, Mass 5-2-2009
Pam Philips
I don't know about you, but I have always loved ladybugs. After my mom passed away some years ago, I seem to see them more often, and I like to think she is sending them my way. Little did I know, ladybugs come in many colors and sizes with different markings, including varied numbers of spots.
According to Cornell (my alma mater) entomologist John Losey, there are 450 species in the U.S. About a dozen of those are native to the Northeast -- but those natives are vanishing.
Researchers at Cornell University started the
Lost Ladybug Project to track down missing native ladybugs. Over the last two decades, non-native species brought in from Asia and Europe for agricultural pest control have taken over as the dominant population.
It is unclear why this happened and what impact it is having on controlling pests. So to get an inventory of what ladybugs are out there, the Lost Ladybug Project is getting citizen volunteers -- "citizen scientists" -- to take pictures of ladybugs and to document their location. Students and adults have submitted hundreds of images from across the country. And the researchers want your assistance too!
Submit your ladybug information
One of the most elusive of the bunch is the nine spotted ladybug or the "C-9." It has not been documented in almost 15 years. The last time it was spotted was back in the 1990s. It was two young kids who made the discovery! Anyone can take part in this scientific study -- all you need is a keen eye and a camera. Happy ladybug hunting:) I know I'll be on the look out!
Ladybugs can be found all over the world. There are about 5,000 species globally. They can be found in countries like India, Israel, Italy, and Iran.
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