Why are they called ladybugs?
There are many stories behind the name, but one that is most common dates back to the Middle Ages. In Europe, crops were being eaten by insect pests. The farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary for help. Soon ladybugs arrived, ate the pests, and saved the crops. The farmers called the striking red beetles “Beetles of Our Lady” for the Virgin Mary. The name eventually was changed to lady beetles and ladybird beetles. In America, they are usually called ladybugs.
Do ladybugs hibernate?
After a summer of eating aphids, ladybugs hibernate for the winter. Hundreds of ladybugs gather together to wait out the cold winter under logs, leaves or rocks. Sometimes they crawl into the cracks of houses. Ladybugs have an interesting way of letting other ladybugs know that they have found a good hibernating site. They emit chemicals called pheromones. Pheromones are powerful scents. A ladybug can detect the scent of another ladybug when it is ¼ a mile away! The scent doesn't go away easily. The scent may last for five years! This lets other generations know where to ride out a hard winter.
How fast can a ladybug fly?
The average ladybug can fly up to 15 miles per hour. When ladybugs fly, they can beat their wings 5,100 times in a minute, which is almost 85 beats per second!
How do you know if a ladybug is male or female?
The female ladybug is usually larger than a male ladybug.