Ladybug Nursery

Ladybug Larvae on my columbine

Some times I wish I were more of a ruthless gardener.

The sight of the dreaded ladybug nursery

Yesterday was the perfect day to weed. The ground was damp. The sky was overcast and the temperature was 69 degrees. I had a weed patch waiting for me, calling my name. I already had pictured in my mind how good it would look afterward. In my mind I was sitting in the middle of the weedless patch drinking a victory beer.

The beer was chilling in the fridge.

I started to weed. I pulled out my first clump. It pulled away from the ground oh so easily—root and all. Ah, the perfect moment. A moment made all the more perfect by the sighting of a ladybug.

As I pulled out more and more weeds I noticed more and more ladybugs along with their cute little alligator-like larvae.

Ladybug larvae looking for a place to transform

Slowly the realization set in that I was in fact weeding away at quite a large-scale ladybug nursery. There were hundreds of the little ladybugs and their larvae in various stages of metamorphosis.

Larvae turning into a ladybug before my very eyes

Sadly, I knew I had to stop my weeding and let my little garden helpers continue with their transformation.

there were many of these white larvae also

I will be happy I did in the long-run.

My beer still awaits me patiently.

☹

Stumble It!

Comments

[Katie Hobson]

This is precisely why I haven't mowed my back lawn yet this year! As if we need a reason to be lazy...

[Gina Bommarito]

I've always wondered what those little critters were. My kids knew what they were when I showed them the pictures. They think this blog is cool!!

[chigiy]

Katie,
Do you have a beer in the frig waiting for you too?

Gina,
Aren't those critters cute? They eat a boat load of aphids too. I'm glad your boys like the blog.

[misti]

Send some lady bugs my way...I have some aphids they need to eat!!!

;)

[Gina Bommarito]

our roses are full of aphids, the ladies are welcomed here anytime!

[Jacqueline]

Super cool - I never knew!