September is a great month to look for Lady Beetles!

Hi all!

I hope you are enjoying getting outside and exploring nature, whether in your backyard, schoolyard or somewhere nearby. September is a month that sees the end of summer and the beginning of fall here in Atlantic Canada. As such, many of our little critters are really getting ready for the colder weather. Lady Beetles, also known as Ladybugs, are no different. Did you know? We have over 50 different kinds in Atlantic Canada! They are really important in a number of ways. Many of them eat aphids and other "pests", so they are certainly wonderful to have around.

A great place to see what folks are seeing in the region is the Lady Beetles of Atlantic Canada project: https://inaturalist.ca/projects/lady-beetles-of-atlantic-canada-coccinelles-des-provinces-de-l-atlantique. Check it out! In that project, we have 27 species that have been recorded. Which ones are you finding? Will you find a new one for the region?

Another amazing fact: Lady Beetle adults are really eating lots these days, as they are getting ready to find a nice cozy spot where they will hunker down and "go to sleep" for the winter. Most warmer days at this time of year, you can find quite a few different kinds if you look, some on flowers, some on trees, some near water, some in the forest. A few of our species may even try move into your house, including the introduced species Harmonia axyridis (Asian Lady Beetle), but also the native species called Adalia bipunctata (Two-spotted Lady Beetle). Most species, however, generally find a spot under some leaves or rocks where they will shelter when the cold weather sets in.

Happy Lady Beetle spotting!

Posted on 15 de setembro de 2020, 06:50 PM by nbdragonflyguy