As such, they are to this day considered symbols of fertility and good luck and are, more literally, essential components of a healthy ecosystem and garden. Ladybugs are natural predators to insect pests like aphids and a number of beetle larva, and are also consumers of some plant mildews. Without them, most flowering, vegetable, and fruit plants’ productivity and health would be greatly damaged; and in recent years that has become an impending possibility. Species of ladybugs that were once common in New York are becoming incredibly rare—the two-spotted and nine-spotted ladybugs, once heavily dispersed throughout the state, are now endangered.
The Lost Ladybug Project, begun in 2000 by Cornell University and 4-H Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, began the effort to survey ladybug populations in New York to address this problem. With the help of citizen-submitted photographs of found ladybugs, it was established that the two-spotted and nine-spotted ladybugs were not extinct, just very rare. Since then, project researchers have continued population surveying as well as breeding measures to bolster these ladybugs’ populations.
In fact, Cornell is selling nine-spotted ladybug larva this very summer in hopes of statewide repopulation, and the CCE Teaching Garden of Schuyler County is purchasing 75 of them. Spearheaded by the CCE Schuyler
Agriculture Educator, Roger Ort, the garden staff and its Master Gardeners will be hosting a Ladybug Adoption on July 13th from 6-7 p.m. in the Teaching Garden. Any and all are welcome to adopt their very own nine-spotted ladybug larvae for just $5 each. On the night of the adoption, all participants will have the opportunity to make a difference and release their baby ladybug into the garden so that it may grow, prosper, and repopulate.
A ladybug larvae (left) and mature ladybug (right)
I love the Teaching Garden and have spent many hours taking care of it—of course with the leadership, guidance, and previous work of Roger Ort-- in hopes of bringing it to its fullest potential. The garden is a beautiful place already, but it can be made even more beautiful and healthier with the help of these rare and incredible creatures. The adoption is sure to be an impactful and unforgettable experience so preregister now to hold your ladybug while supplies last!
For more information and to preregister, call the CCE Schuyler office at (607)-535-7161.