Lets look at ladybirds!Lets look at ladybirds!

Many people do not realise that we have so many different Many people do not realise that we have so many different ladybirds living in Britain: 46 species. Not all of them are ladybirds living in Britain: 46 species. Not all of them are brightly coloured and spotty; some are really quite dull brightly coloured and spotty; some are really quite dull looking and are not recognisable as ladybirds. There are 27 looking and are not recognisable as ladybirds. There are 27 species from the ladybird family that actually look like species from the ladybird family that actually look like ladybirds as we know them. Here are some fun facts about ladybirds as we know them. Here are some fun facts about

them.them.

Why are ladybirds so Why are ladybirds so called?called?

The most common species of ladybird in Britain is the The most common species of ladybird in Britain is the

seven-spot ladybird. seven-spot ladybird.

This bright red ladybird has seven spots and is thought This bright red ladybird has seven spots and is thought

to have inspired the name ladybird: "Lady" referring to to have inspired the name ladybird: "Lady" referring to the Virgin Mary (Our lady) who in early paintings is the Virgin Mary (Our lady) who in early paintings is seen wearing a red cloak; the seen wearing a red cloak; the

seven spots are symbolic of the seven spots are symbolic of the

seven joys and seven sorrows of Mary.seven joys and seven sorrows of Mary.

The 5 spotted ladybird is only found in Wales in the The 5 spotted ladybird is only found in Wales in the United Kingdom.United Kingdom.

It lives under shingle near rivers.It lives under shingle near rivers. The 5 spotted ladybird eats aphids.The 5 spotted ladybird eats aphids. It is an endangered species in the UK.It is an endangered species in the UK. Ladybirds are eaten by birds and large beetles.Ladybirds are eaten by birds and large beetles.

Poppy and Mason used ‘Dazzle’ to produce this picture Poppy and Mason used ‘Dazzle’ to produce this picture of a ladybird.of a ladybird.

Summer and Suleman enjoyed drawing this ladybird using Summer and Suleman enjoyed drawing this ladybird using ‘Dazzle.’‘Dazzle.’

Lilly and Lewis drew this ladybird using ‘Dazzle.’Lilly and Lewis drew this ladybird using ‘Dazzle.’

Do you like these ladybirds that Ben and Charlie have Do you like these ladybirds that Ben and Charlie have drawn?drawn?

What do ladybirds What do ladybirds eat?eat?

A few species feed on A few species feed on plants or mildew but plants or mildew but most ladybirds eat most ladybirds eat aphids (greenfly) or aphids (greenfly) or scale insects. Both are scale insects. Both are garden pests and this is garden pests and this is why so many people why so many people love to see ladybirds. love to see ladybirds. The seven-spot ladybird The seven-spot ladybird can eat can eat 50005000 aphids aphids during its year long during its year long lifespan!lifespan!

A Harlequin ladybird munching on A Harlequin ladybird munching on an aphid. an aphid.

 •A female ladybird will lay more than 1000 eggs in her lifetime but they are so small you can hardly see them. •Ladybirds chew from side to side and not up and down like people do. •A 2 litre Coca Cola bottle will hold from 36,000 to 40,000. •The ladybird uses its front legs to clean it’s head and it’s antennae. •The spots on a ladybird fade as the ladybug gets older. •Not all ladybirds are female. •Ladybirds can fly at 15 mph

Did you know …?

Planting seedsPlanting seedsWe have been planting We have been planting seeds to encourage seeds to encourage ladybirds, butterflies and ladybirds, butterflies and bees into our gardens.bees into our gardens.

Next, sprinkle on some seeds – not too many, and cover with a little soil.

First, put some soil into a pot.

After that, gently water.

Then, water when the soil starts to dry out and you will begin to see some shoots appearing.

Finally, you will see the result of your work, the plants will start to grow and will soon flower. Your garden should soon be full of beautiful bugs!

How to grow your

seeds!

Our gift to you…Our gift to you…

We hope that you will enjoy planting your seeds and We hope that you will enjoy planting your seeds and get lots of ladybirds, butterflies and bees into your get lots of ladybirds, butterflies and bees into your gardens.gardens.

Why are ladybirds often Why are ladybirds often brightly coloured?brightly coloured?

The bright colours warn potential enemies such as The bright colours warn potential enemies such as predators that ladybirds are not at all tasty. This so predators that ladybirds are not at all tasty. This so called "warning colouration" reminds predators of called "warning colouration" reminds predators of

previous distasteful encounters with ladybirds!previous distasteful encounters with ladybirds!

This is called "reflex blood". It is very strong smelling This is called "reflex blood". It is very strong smelling and contains the toxins which make ladybirds off-and contains the toxins which make ladybirds off-putting to so many predators. Ladybirds do not die after putting to so many predators. Ladybirds do not die after producing reflex blood; it is part of their warning producing reflex blood; it is part of their warning system. system.

What is the yellow stuff they What is the yellow stuff they sometimes produce when they sometimes produce when they are disturbed?are disturbed?

Do ladybirds get more spots Do ladybirds get more spots as they get older?as they get older?

No! The number of spots does not relate to No! The number of spots does not relate to

age at all! age at all!

How many spots can you see?How many spots can you see?

Ladybird mathsLadybird maths

Have some fun moving the spots around to solve

these problems. Can you make

some of your own?

+ +

3+4=7

Tens and units

Tens Units3 2

Tens Units

Tens Units Tens Units Tens Units

Tens Units

Tens Units Tens Units Tens Units

AdditionAddition

+

+

+ +

+

+ ==

=

=

=

=

MultiplicationMultiplication

4 x 7 =

9 – 3 = 6 9 – 7 = 9 – 1 =

9 – 9 = 9 – 5 = 9 – 8 =

9 – 2 = 9 – 4 = 9 – 6 =

SubtractionSubtraction

DivisionDivisionThe spots have blown off the ladybirds in the wind. The spots have blown off the ladybirds in the wind. They all had the same number of spots. They all had the same number of spots. How many should each one have?How many should each one have?

24 ÷ 6 =

SymmetrySymmetry

Can you put spots on the ladybird to Can you put spots on the ladybird to make it symmetrical?make it symmetrical?

Do ladybirds get bigger as Do ladybirds get bigger as they get older?they get older?

No. When an adult No. When an adult ladybird is formed, it ladybird is formed, it stays the same size for stays the same size for the rest of its life. the rest of its life. Humans Humans

have a have a

skeleton skeleton insideinside

their bodies, their bodies,

called an called an "endoskeleton", "endoskeleton",

but beetles like ladybirds but beetles like ladybirds have theirs have theirs outsideoutside (an (an "exoskeleton"). This hard "exoskeleton"). This hard skeletal outside means skeletal outside means that they can't grow any that they can't grow any bigger. bigger.

What is a typical ladybird year What is a typical ladybird year like?like?

Ladybird adults spend the cold winter months in a Ladybird adults spend the cold winter months in a dormant state. As the weather warms up in late February dormant state. As the weather warms up in late February and March the adults begin to get active and search for and March the adults begin to get active and search for early aphids to eat. The adults mate in the spring and the early aphids to eat. The adults mate in the spring and the females lay eggs during the spring and early summer. females lay eggs during the spring and early summer. This generation of adults then dies as the new generation This generation of adults then dies as the new generation hatches out. hatches out. The newly emerged larvae (immature ladybirds) do not The newly emerged larvae (immature ladybirds) do not look anything like their parents; they are black and grub-look anything like their parents; they are black and grub-like. During this stage they eat lots and shed their skin like. During this stage they eat lots and shed their skin three times before pupating. The pupa stage lasts about a three times before pupating. The pupa stage lasts about a week and from this the new adult emerges. The new week and from this the new adult emerges. The new adults must eat lots of aphids to build up reserves to see adults must eat lots of aphids to build up reserves to see them through the winter months. them through the winter months.

Ladybirds are a type of beetle; insects with six jointed legs. Ladybirds have special organs on their feet to help them smell. They use their

antennae to touch, smell and taste. 

Females lay their eggs in yellow clusters under a leaf or stem often near a colony of aphids (tiny garden pests that damage many plants.) Within a week, the eggs hatch into alligator-shaped larvae that start gobbling up the aphids, tiny worms and a variety of insect eggs that

gardeners are happy to get rid of!  

Ladybirds have a life cycle that is similar to the butterfly. They go through a complete metamorphosis during their 8-week life.

Life cycle of a ladybirdLife cycle of a ladybird

Fun things to do:-Fun things to do:-

http://www.topmarks.co.uk/learning-to-count/ladybird-shttp://www.topmarks.co.uk/learning-to-count/ladybird-spotspots

http://www.ladybird-survey.org/downloads/Ladybird%2http://www.ladybird-survey.org/downloads/Ladybird%20Quiz.pdf0Quiz.pdf

http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/play/games/spottedhttp://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/play/games/spotted.htm.htm

Endangered species – The 5 Endangered species – The 5 spot ladybirdspot ladybird

Size:Size: 4 - 5mm 4 - 5mm Basic colour:Basic colour: red red Pattern colour:Pattern colour: black spots black spots Number of spots:Number of spots: 5-9 5-9 Spot joined together:Spot joined together: very rare very rare

Pronotum:Pronotum: black with anterior-lateral white marks black with anterior-lateral white marks Leg colour:Leg colour: black black Habitat:Habitat: unstable river shingle unstable river shingle Host plant:Host plant: various various Overwintering:Overwintering: gorse, under shingle stones, in leaf litter gorse, under shingle stones, in leaf litter Food:Food: aphids aphids

Other notes:Other notes: Rarely found more than a few metres from its preferred Rarely found more than a few metres from its preferred river shingle habitat in Britain, yet common in many habitats in Europe. An river shingle habitat in Britain, yet common in many habitats in Europe. An endangered species in Britain. endangered species in Britain.

Remember:

Look after even the smallest of

creatures. They all have the right to

live on our planet.