Photo taken by J. Ahern at the Brookfield Zoo exhibit Zoo Bugs.
This is an example of how bugs merge and camouflage themselves to avoid becoming dinner for another bug or animal. Brookfield Zoo’s interpretation of this is a bit extreme, however, the name of the exhibit is “Extreme Bugs”. Some people believe that the “Lady Bug” is a lucky and magical bug. It is said that if a Lady Bug lands on you, then good luck will follow. I wonder if this extreme Lady Bug is even luckier than the average garden variety.
There is a story from the Middle Ages where the crops were being eaten by insects, and people were starving. They prayed to The Virgin Mary for relief. The village was disappointed in their prayers when they discovered yet another insect in their fields. Their disappointment was short-lived, however, when they realized that these bugs were killing the insects that had been dining on their food supply. They called these wonder bugs, Lady Bugs.
Lady Bugs love to eat aphids. So if you have aphids on your roses or tomatoes, head on over to the garden center and purchase a carton of Lady Bugs. They are sure to solve your problem.
Check out the Weekly Photo Challenge: Merge at the Daily Post. You still have time to submit a photo.
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Reblogged this on 20 Lines or Less.
Jamie, you had done an awesome interpretation of the merge concept. I really love the story of the Middle Ages.
I give all the credit to my daughter and grandson who explored the exhibit at the zoo. They were kind enough to take photos for me to use. I am glad you like the post!! Thanks so much. 🙂 Jamie
THey brought you a whimsical picture.
Yes, they did! 🙂
I love seeing Ladybirds on my brassicas and roses! We don’t get enough of them here though, although one year there was an absolute plague of them all across Britain. I wish that would happen again!
Ladybirds, bees, dragonflies and spiders (even though I’m afraid of them if they get in the house – spiders, that is) are always made welcome in my flower borders 🙂
We did not have many here in the Midwest, USA. I think it was due to the drought we have been under this summer. I am always happy to see a lady bug (lady bird). 🙂
I found this post interesting because it would be quite a different exhibition here in the UK, where we call them ‘Ladybirds’. 🙂
I never knew that they were called Ladybirds in the UK and Australia. Thanks for sharing that info. Enjoy the evening. 🙂
I’m going to remember this next spring. 🙂
Yes. Great little bugs! 🙂
Love your take on the challenge. Thank you for the information on the Lady bug. I knew about it bringing good luck but not about the story from the Middle Ages. Great post.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thanks, Francine! I am happy that you enjoyed the post. 🙂
Yes, thank you for sharing the story; I’m fascinated. We mostly call them Ladybirds here in Australia, too. And there’s a children’s rhyme that starts ‘Ladybird, Ladybird, fly away home…’
Great post – love your words and the terrific photo 🙂
Thanks so much. I did not know that they were called Ladybirds in Australia. I just learned something new. Thanks. 🙂
Wow I LOVE THIS! Love ART in any form and really dig my Ladybugs. They keep this yard and flowers looking so good. They used to over winter in the walls of the house and when stove was cranked on a really nasty cold day they would just appear EVERYWHERE. Sadly since blowing insulation in to keep home warm I have not seen that many 😦 I may have to purchase some for next year if the numbers don’t come back up. I used to haul US Mail and several times I had let packages of them ride up front with me 🙂 Nice post thank the children 🙂
Our village would give out ladybugs in the past and they would come in what looked like Chinese food cartons. There have not been lady bugs around this year. I think it is due to the drought. I hope they return next year. Thanks for the great comment. ! 🙂
You are welcome yes when they are aundant usually you have roses loaded with afids for sure
This year, even the aphids stayed away. Too dry and hot! 🙂
True I have not seen any either but when I turned garden soil over in early spring I told my mom there were no worms just grubs she said you will have a bad yr of J Beetles she is right they are all over my Rugosa Roses
I will have to remember your mom’s advice and if I see grubs I will know there will be J Beetles. 🙂
I wish I had not left them in the garden soil I was so tired when the machine broke and had to turn the rest by hand I should have put them all in a jar to kill them I hate using poison in my soil since I also drink from a well here and grow organic 😦
I understand that with your well you would not want that in your ground water. Sounds as if you are careful with what you put in the ground. Good for you. I wish more people were more conscientious about the things they put into the soil. 🙂
:0 I do try to do my part to be good to the earth I compost, reuse stuff /recycle not old enough to be called a Real HIPPIE but close enough lol
🙂
I love that photo 🙂
Thanks. 🙂
LOL! Great picture, and thanks for including the history of the name… I’ve heard them called both ladybird beetles and lady bugs, but either way, just like my garden spiders, they do keep the plant-eating bugs down!
Yes, they are amazing little bugs. I am happy you enjoyed my post. Enjoy the evening. 😉
Good information…didn’t realize it…Diane
Thanks, Diane. 🙂
I love VW Beetles! My husband wants to own one someday and paint it like Herbie the Love Bug! This pic really made me smile and I have always thought Lady Bugs brought good luck, not that I’m superstitious or anything I just like them.
Punch buggy VW’s are so cute. As a teenager, I rode around in my girlfriend’s red VW and froze in the winter. Fun times! LOL! 🙂
Love the story and the Lady Bug history! And such a great picture!!!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Hi Big smile! Great pics! I love ladybugs and I always consider it good luck to see one especially if it lands on me, although I wouldn’t want the ones in the picture to do that, I still consider it good luck…Thanks for that. 😉
If the lady bugs in the picture landed on us we would have EXTREME Luck! LOL! Thanks for the comment, Strawberry. XOXO
Very Creative website! New blog on the History of the Ladybug go to eblogger dot com search for History of the Ladybug.
Thank you. 🙂