Goal For The Green

Para-education and green living information

Facts On Ladybugs

Jun-6-2009 By Barbara Zak

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.

Aphids on unknown plant.
Image via Wikipedia

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!

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Relax With Barbara On Wednesday 36

May-6-2009 By Barbara Zak

Enjoy and relax to a “Green Dream, ” by sand artist Ilana Yahav.  I love watching her create these amazing works of art…I hope you do too!

It’s A “Greenaissance”!

Apr-21-2009 By Barbara Zak

Recently, the popular eco-blog Treehugger has selected the ‘best of green’ candidates, that are the most sustainable, for several categories. Among the 36 candidates for the category Design + Arquitecture, was Valcucine.  They were  chosen, for their new  100% recyclable Invitrum (kitchen)base units’ system.

The winners are determined by the total average of votes they will receive until the next 22nd April. To vote, visit Planet Green, where you can view all the candidates and give each of them a score from 1 to 10.

Currently, ECOVALCUCINE presents the first 100% recyclable kitchen with “gReenaissance”, an exposition project inspired to the material’s natural life-cycle, an extensive and coherent research aimed to create eco-friendly kitchens.  Please visit Planet Green and vote for your favorites.

Superstudio Più
C/o Central Point
Via Tortona 27, Milano
22 – 27 Aprile 2009
hr. 10 – 21 open