Why are our ladybugs not moving? (today's biology lesson)

@TheHorse (206461)
Walnut Creek, California
May 25, 2016 9:01pm CST
The other day I saw lady bugs dotting our corn plants, as well as some of our green beans. "Death to aphids," I thought merrily. This was out at Ground Squirrel Gardens, where the kids and I grow "crops" and hope the ground squirrels won't eat them. As I was watering the corn, I noticed that the lady bugs weren't flying off. They were just sitting there, even if water splashed on them. Only then did I remember that I'd seen a few ladybug larvae a few days before. Lady bug larvae are orange and black critters that don't look much like ladybugs. These still critters must be ladybugs in the "pupa" stage, I thought. Like butterflies, lady bugs have to "sleep" for a few days before emerging as the flying creatures we all enjoy. I got a good picture of my "sleeping" ladybug, this one on a green bean plant. Within a few days, there will be ladybugs flying around our "farm."
8 people like this
9 responses
rebelann1949
@rebelann (111254)
• El Paso, Texas
26 May 16
I had no idea they went through a larva stage thanks for that tidbit of info. Worst of all is that I haven't seen either in a very long time, either we don't have any aphids or it's too hot here. You're so lucky to have them.
2 people like this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (111254)
• El Paso, Texas
26 May 16
I think it has to be humid for aphids to invade a plant which is why at least I have not had that problem here @TheHorse we have been in a drought since 2007 and hopefully 2016 will be a wet year for us, which might mean aphids and other problems provided them dang wabbits ain't eaten all my plants by then.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (206461)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May 16
@rebelann Wabbits. Ground squirrels with long ears.
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The Horse
@TheHorse (206461)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May 16
I suppose tasty aphids are a necessity. I'm not sure exactly what attracts aphids. Is it flowers? My green beans are starting to flower. The ground squirrels are probably printing up menus as we speak.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (326127)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 May 16
That's really interesting. I had no idea they did that.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (206461)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May 16
There's always new stuff to be learned!
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (326127)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 May 16
@TheHorse Just when I thought I was getting quite knowledgeable too!
1 person likes this
vanny
@vandana7 (98952)
• India
29 May 16
Do ladybugs kill aphids? I did not know that!
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (206461)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 May 16
I think that's their favorite dish. People with roses are always glad to see lady bugs around.
1 person likes this
Jabo
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
26 May 16
I don't think I've ever seen ladybug larvae or pupae, though like you I'm happy to see the 'finished product' in my garden.
1 person likes this
Jabo
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
26 May 16
@TheHorse Thanks for the info.
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
27 May 16
oh I didnt know that, poor zzzzing buggie lol
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (206461)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 May 16
I hope all of the ladybugs stick around once they "hatch"!
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ElizabethWallace
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
26 May 16
I did not know this. Fascinating. I guess changing into ladybugs tucker them out. With the water you splash, you are giving them a reason to hang around to help control those pesky aphids.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (206461)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May 16
I wish lady bugs ate ground squirrels.
1 person likes this
ElizabethWallace
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
26 May 16
@TheHorse Wow. Imaging the wing span on a ladybug that could do that!
LK2018
@Letranknight2015 (51537)
• Philippines
26 May 16
awww, let them sleep they're probably tired of flying
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (206461)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May 16
I think the larvae just crawl, but eating all those aphids as a baby is probably tiring. I'll let them sleep now that they're in the pupa stage.
Macarrosel
@Macarrosel (7498)
• Philippines
26 May 16
Now I learn a new lesson about biology. Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (206461)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May 16
It's fun to learn new stuff. My 4-year-olds will know more than I knew at 40.
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
26 May 16
One of the few flying bugs that I don't have a phobia of. I didn't know that about them having to sleep a few days. Interesting.
1 person likes this