Goal For The Green

Ladybugs are also known as ladybirds.  They are not just considered one ladybug, but a family of them.  There are nearly 5,000 different species of ladybugs, of which more than 400 species are common in North America.

In her lifetime, (usually several months) a female ladybug will lay more than 1,000 eggs. The male ladybug is slightly smaller than the female.  As they age, their spots fade.  Under the right conditions , the Asian Lady Beetle,  can have a lifespan of 2-3 years.

When they fly, they beat their wings on an average of 85 times per second.  However, they won’t fly if the temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.  They also, don’t like being in direct sunlight and hot temperatures.

It has been said that ladybugs stink.  This is because, if they sense that they are in danger, they can create a chemical smell that both stinks and tastes terrible, so that birds and other predators won’t eat them.  Pretty smart for a little bug.

Their favorite food is aphids, of which they will eat more than 5,000 in their lifetime. No wonder they are so valuable to your garden.  They chew their food from side to side.

It has been said that Red Ladybugs are a symbol of “luck.”  Fact is, we are the “lucky” ones, when ladybugs show up in our gardens and eat our unwanted garden pests!

See where the cutest ladybugs live!

Most ladybugs are voracious, mighty little predators.  They are often referred to as a “gardener’s best friend.” This is because they can effectively control garden pests that are harmful to both our vegetable and flower gardens.

Ladybugs eat mostly aphids, (a small green soft bodied insect that thrives on plant juices), mites and scales.  All of these types of insects are harmful to many crop plants, and are considered to be serious pests to plant life in general.  Even as larva, ladybugs eat aphids, and other soft bodied insects such as mites, white flies, and scale insects that can devour a garden.  There are some species of ladybugs that can be considered as vegetarian, preferring to eat mushrooms and various forms of fungus.  Some like to dine on mildew, while others do prefer eating leaves, and may become a pest to some plants.

The majority of ladybugs, however, are not considered to be pests.  They can effectively keep a garden aphid and pest free, making them a natural and chemical free form of pest control.  In many areas they can be purchased to help keep your garden pest free.

It’s as amazing, as it is wonderful that by what this little creature eats,  it is helping us humans, by keeping the food that we grow and eat pest free!

See where the cutest ladybugs live!

The Heart and Soul Award is given to those who have touched and/or inspired you through their blog. I was amazed and humbled to find that Sadie over at Sadie’s Skinny passed this award over to me.  She writes a great health blog about her weight  loss journey, health tips and advice on dieting and exercise.  If I could pass this back to her, I surely would!

The rules for the award are to pass this on to three blogs that have touched or inspired me, so here are my three:

Chris over at Living Well Naturally does a wonderful job on helping us know how to live and eat well.  She gives great tips and advice on avoiding toxic chemicals, eating whole foods, supplements, and how to care for our home and garden.  She even has a wonderful line of Mineral make-up that is affordable.  If you haven’t checked out this site, please do.  You can tell she loves what she is doing!

Chatbug Karen, is another amazingly talented woman.  She calls herself a little fish in the big pond.  I’m sure glad I caught her in that pond!  She has an Etsy store, where she has handmade totebags and aprons and just beautiful things.  She also shares her travels, and just fun things on all of her blogs…she has several!

Cady, at NotSoNewlywed, has stolen my devotion and attention.  I have never seen a more dedicated and determined couple as she and her husband Joe are, to become parents.  They are sharing their journey with us, and it is very exciting.  By the end of this month, they will know if they positively are going to be parents.  My heart and prayers are with them.  Please stop in and visit.

I hope all of you will visit these blogs, and I hope that you’re as inspired by them as I am!

If the three recipients of this award would like to pass it along, please visit the Heart and Soul Award website and list the 3 blog addresses that you are nominating. Then download the picture of the award and write a post about it, linking to me, and your 3 nominees, and why they have touched or inspired you.