— I have often enjoyed photographing ladybugs, but I have to admit they are not the most cooperative subjects I have photographed. The hardest thing is to get them to stay still. Although I have enjoyed capturing them on different wildflowers anywhere I go, I love this opening photo because the ladybug is on a cowboy hat. How much more Texas can it get? This particular photo was captured when some friends and I spent a morning at Berry Springs Park & Preserve in Georgetown, in the Austin metropolitan area
Now, did you know what we call ladybugs here in Texas is known by other names? Scientifically, according to Wikipedia, ladybugs are from the Coccinellidae family. an insect family characterized by their bright colors and spots. In some places, they are referred to as ladybirds, ladybird beetles, lady beetles, and even lady cows. Now, the last reference is definitely odd, as I see it. How can such significantly different animals share a common name? Just think of their sizes for starters. Calling them ladybugs is also a misnomer. They are not bugs in the strictest sense of the word. They are beetles. As for ladybirds, I don’t know how to feel about that. Living in Texas, I will forever associate that name with Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of former president Lyndon Baynes Johnson.
Whatever name you choose to call them, ladybugs are predators of plant pests. That’s a surprise for me that such a cute insect can be called a predator. They help control diseases and improve soil health, just to name a couple of their benefits to the environment. There are over 5,000 different species of ladybugs in the world. Those cute colors and spots they show are a warning to predators that they taste bad. If ladybugs feel threatened, they can secrete a foul-smelling liquid from their leg joints. So, that is a lesson not to judge a (beautiful) book by its cover. If you want to find them in your garden, don’t waste time searching for them in the winter, for they hibernate in that season.
The next two photos show ladybugs on two different types of wildflowers in our area. The first has a ladybug on a White-Mouth Dayflower, whereas the other needs identification. I thought it was Milkweed, but a reader suggested Queen Anne’s Lace. It could also be a Common Parsley Hedge. If you know it for sure, please let me know. If you enlarge these photos (just click on them), you can even see another insect photobombing in one of the photos.
Before closing, I want to mention one more type of ladybug you may see around in your area. Again, the word bug is a misnomer. Although it can be found in nature, it is more common in urban settings. In fact, it is not even in the animal kingdom. I am talking about the VW bug or VW beetle. This particular model, I am certain, is a ladybug.
This post is in response to Denzil’s nature challenge this week.
Robert J Jr.
Beautiful capture of the ladybug Egidio!
Egídio Leitão
Many thanks, Robert. I appreciate the feedback.
Ingalill Sjögren
Beautiful pictures, especially the last one 🙂
Egídio Leitão
Thank you, Ingalill. I was stopped at a traffic light when I saw that on my left. Just couldn’t resist making a photo of it.
Rupali
Lovely compositions. Ladybug on blue flower is so beautiful.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you very much for your feedback.
jazzibee
Brilliant car!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks. Glad you liked it, James.
Denzil
I love your composition of photos Egidio.
Egídio Leitão
Denzil, thank you for the compliment. As I said in the post, I find ladybugs so hard to cature because they move so quickly. Thanks again.
boromax
Ladybugs! Always a delight to see. They are garden helpers. I think that white flower is not milkweed, but Queen Anne’s Lace?
Egídio Leitão
Thanks for your comment. I’ve submitted that photo to iNaturalist to see if they could identify it. I was not sure about milkweek. Now, I wonder about your suggestion and also Common Hedge Parsley. What do you think?
margaret21
Good to see your ladybirds are much the same as ours – even the motorised ones!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Margaret.