Goal For The Green

Ladybugs, also known by their scientific name of  Coccinellidae,  are a member of the family of beetles.  They are also known as ladybirds in (British English, Australian English, and South African English speaking countries),  and ladybugs is the preferred term in North America.  Some scientist refer to them as lady beetles.

Ladybugs (Coccinellids) are found worldwide, in almost any type of climate, and in wetlands. However, they won’t fly if the temperature is below 55 degrees fahrenheit.  There are over 5,000 species described, with more than 450 species that are native to North America alone.  They are small insects, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are usually yellow, orange, or scarlet with small black spots on their wings, with six black legs, their head and antennae are also usually black.

In the spring,  the female ladybug lays her tiny, pale yellow eggs in clusters of ten to 50 on the underside of plant leaves, near colonies of aphids. Three to five days later the larvae hatch. They look much like miniature alligators, usually gray or black, with bright spots.

After hatching, the larva immediately start killing and eating aphids. A single ladybug consumes about 5,000 aphids in his or her lifetime: 400 aphids are consumed, just in the larva stage.  Two to three weeks later, the larva pupates on a leaf, and transforms to an adult. Then as an adult, consumes another 4600 aphids in their lifetime.

During the summer, ladybugs live in shrubs, branches, and flowers, in fields, gardens, and on plants . During autumn , they form a colony called coleptera.  Then, they find and crawl to protective hiding places, such as tree stumps, cracks in wood, or in ground cover types of vegetation.  This then becomes a place to hibernate–at the base of a tree, along a fence row, under a fallen tree, or even under a rock. They crawl under leaves to protect themselves from the winter cold.  The fascinating thing is, they can hibernate in groups of 50 to 100 million, to produce and conserve warmth.  Most ladybugs only live for several months, but some can survive longer.

Generally, ladybugs are considered useful insects, as many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places. There fore, they have been termed as a ” gardeners best friend”.  Some people consider seeing them or having them land on their body, to be a sign of “good luck”.

See where the cutest ladybugs live!

I could have turned this post into a rant about all the things that need reforming in this country.  We all know what they are, and at the top of the list is “Health Care Reform…or is that “Insurance Reform” ?  Instead of ranting, I chose to look at the more positive side of the issue.  There are things you can do right now, that just involve common sense, not money or health care coverage.

Recently, Johnson Diversey, announced a global effort to help its customers combat the spread of Swine Flu (H1N1 virus).  Johnson Diversey, is a leading global provider of cleaning and sanitation products and systems (cleaning machines).  They are stepping up production of their proprietary disinfection products globally by 50%.  This includes  providing application and infection control training and expertise to their vast customer base, in more than 160 countries world wide.

The company’s most effective disinfection products includes a line of accelerated
hydrogen peroxide-based technologies, including a proprietary formula that kills
viruses in one minute.  Most other products, in the industry require a 10-minute
contact time for effective disinfection.

The short contact time enhances the likelihood that the virus will be killed, giving
Johnson Diversey’s customers greater confidence that they’re doing all they can
to stop the spread of this virus.  In addition, the products are registered with
regulatory bodies as effective biocides, and they also have a favorable human health
and environmental profile.

Johnson Diversey’s customer base includes public facilities, such as schools and
airports, health care facilities, food and beverage production plants, hotels and commercial properties, such as offices and shopping malls. The proper cleaning and disinfection in all these customer settings is critical to public health.  The nice thing is they are able to make cleaning and disinfection easier and and more effective, in a eco-friendly way, and with non-toxic products that leave less impact on the environment.

One year ago, the World Wildlife Fund, announced that Johnson Diversey had joined the Climate Savers Program.  The company was one of 18  companies chosen world wide, to be considered for the award.   The entire process involved meeting certain criteria and third party approval.

Most of us have Johnson Diversey products in our homes, just not the commercial or industrial strength products mentioned here.  However, most public health agencies are recommending to use frequent hand washing,  along with the use of hand sanitizers, as well as, using broad- spectrum disinfection on hard surfaces to ward off the H1N1 virus.  Optimally, if you are ill, or know someone who is, please  stay home and take care of yourself.  Avoid contact, or public places until you are well again.

In their continued effort to remain sustainable, in everything they do, the company is going “greener” with Google Apps.

Johnson Diversey is committed to a cleaner and healthier future, and working toward a better tomorrow!

See where the cutest ladybugs live!

Update:

I didn’t know when I posted the winner’s here on Saturday, that I could have three!  I had asked on Thursday, but didn’t hear back until this morning.

So, Congratulations goes to Shelly Thomas,  of the blog Futurism Now.    Do stop by and check it out.  It’s full of futurism and opinion, in an interesting and enjoyable read.

I enjoy making people happy.  I just wish I could have given “Earth” to everyone who entered.  It is a wonderful DVD!

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I’ll admit I love giving things away, so it is difficult for me to choose just one winner.  So, it is with great pleasure, I have chosen two winners to receive the “Earth” DVD.

Congratulations to Bob Johnson, of the wonderful blog Blackholes and Astrostuff.  Please stop by and visit him.

Congratulations, also goes to Connie Foggles, and her wonderful blog brainfoggles.  Another fun blog, to check out and visit.

Both of these people are nature lover’s, whom I’m sure will enjoy this spectacular DVD!

They have 48 hours to respond, and receive their prize!