My family recently moved into a 19th
century farmhouse, and one of the first things we discovered was that living
in an old house was synonymous with living with ladybugs. Lots of them.
I am not sure how they got inside, but if what they say about ladybugs bringing
good luck is true, nothing good will happen to me in this lifetime or any
other reincarnation. Each day, while vacuuming up beetles, I daydreamed about
warmer weather, so that instead of getting rid of them I could put them to
good use in my vegetable and herb gardens.
Ladybugs, of the Coccinellidae family, are well known to gardeners as
"beneficials," insects who eat other, unwelcome insects. These beetles, with
over four hundred native species, are native to North America. But if you
can't find the common, red and black-speckled convergent ladybugs(Hippodamia
convergens) in your backyard (or kitchen, in my case), you can easily buy
them.
Ladybug Varieties
Also known as ladybirds and lady beetles, adult ladybugs and their larvae
feed on aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and other small, soft-bodied pests
who systematically destroy your garden. They also eat the eggs of unwanted
insects. Larvae of one species of ladybug consume two hundred to three hundred
aphids, a common garden pest with over 1,350 species, during their two- to
three-week development. Adults eat three hundred to four hundred aphids over
the course of one month. These numbers translate into a one-two punch against
a garden pest that will eat anything from ornamental fruit trees to root
vegetables.
Aphids are green, pink, black, or gray pear-shaped insects up 3/8" long,
with antennae and sometimes wings, often found in large colonies. Aphids
pierce a leaf and suck out the plant sap. In addition to depleting the plant
of its sap, the aphids leave behind a kind of goo on leaves which supports
sooty mold. Some species also spread plant viruses.
The mealybug destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) does just what it says.
The larvae of this lady beetle variety have long, white, waxy hair that resembles
their prey. Both larvae and adults are effective predators on all stages
and species of above-ground mealybugs found on citrus fruits, grapes, and
greenhouse and house plants. This species is native to California and the
West Coast.
Mealybugs are tiny, oval, segmented insects most commonly found in the American
South. They attack citrus fruits, avocados, grapes, apples, and potatoes,
as well as tropical and ornamental plants.
Other varieties of the ladybug have proven effective against spider mites
and other pests. Spider mites are minute, spiderlike pests with reddish,
pale green or yellow bodies and are often found on the underside of leaves.
Spider mites can be found frequently on bean, cucumber, eggplant, melon,
and tomato plants. But beware: A few lady beetle species, such as the Mexican
bean beetle and squash beetle, are actually plant pests, not beneficials.
Ladybug Lifecycle
In spring, overwintering adults migrate to find food. After feeding for a
few days, they lay their eggs in clusters among aphids, spider mites, or
other prey. Eggs hatch three to five days later, and larvae feed for several
weeks. Adults emerge approximately one week later. In fall, adults overwinter
in leaf litter, wooded areas, or other protected locations (like my rented
farmhouse).
How to Attract Ladybugs
Plant pollen and nectar flowers, especially angelica and dill, and allow
for a few weeds such as dandelion and yarrow. Keep your garden moist. Attract
other beneficials such as birds, bees, spiders, and toads with birdhouses,
brightly colored nectar-producing flowers, mulched pathways and bare areas,
and a clay flowerpot to act as a toad house. Protect your plants against
feeding birds, though, and never use sprays-- including organically acceptable
pesticides such as oil and soap sprays--because they can harm the lady
beetles.
How to Keep Ladybugs Attracted
You can keep lady beetles in your garden, feasting on pests, simply by planting
flowers, herbs, and vegetables that they like. Grow small, shallow-necked
flowers from which they can sip nectar. Daisies, dill, fennel, mint, mustard,
and onion are some plants that beneficials favor.
Daisy-family herbs (goldenrod, chamomile, coreopsis, marigold, sunflower,
tansy, and yarrow) will attract lady beetles as well as assassin bugs, honeybees,
hover flies, lacewings, and parasitic wasps. Mint-family herbs (check for
the characteristic square stem and fragrant leaves of the mint family) will
attract similar beneficials. You could also try carrot-family herbs (check
for umbrella-shaped flower clusters) such as angelica, anise, caraway, dill,
and fennel. Try these other herbs: bee balm, catnip, hyssop, lavender, sweet
marjoram, oregano, sage, thyme, chives, onions, buckwheat, and clover. In
addition to dandelion, common weeds such as lambs-quarters and wild mustard
will also attract those beneficials.
Watching as the ladybugs walked across the sun-warmed windows of late winter,
I decided that until I could transfer them outside, I would better utilize
them by growing some indoor plants.
About the Author:
Melanie Gold has been published in a variety of publications, including the New York Daily News. Her series on Native American issues has appeared in special-interest newsletters in the U.S. and abroad. In addition, she is a freelance proofreader and copyeditor working with well-known publishers such as HarperCollins, Ballantine Books, and St. Martin's Press.
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My family recently moved into a 19th
century farmhouse, and one of the first things we discovered was that living
in an old house was synonymous with living with ladybugs. Lots of them. 
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