LADYBUGS: GARDENERS’ BEST FRIENDS.
Hippodamia convergens - Convergent Lady Beetle Male and Female Adults
The other day I posted a blog on living alternatives to chemical pesticides. Today’s blog takes a closer look at “beneficial insects”, in particular ladybugs. Why post this blog now, in the middle of the summer? Because NOW is the time to release ladybugs in your garden. Read on!
Ladybugs start off life as small larvae that some say resemble a black and orange crocodile. Hungry despite their small size, the larvae feed on the same insects as the adults. After several weeks of growing, the larvae pupate and emerge as adults. The adults continue to feed, mate, lay eggs and start a new cycle. If you are lucky, they will lay their eggs in your back yard.
Depending on the size of your garden, for approximately $30, you can rid your garden of aphids, mites, scales, thrips and small insect larvae. You may or may not know that pests such as aphids, mites and small caterpillars tend to destroy your plants. They are difficult to see with the naked eye. They are often difficult to get rid of. Given the ban on the use of chemical pesticides in most municipalities, ladybugs are sure to become an important ally to the majority of gardeners. Ladybugs will eat your “enemies”, i.e. the aphids, mites, scales, thrips and small insect larvae.
This is how it works:
You release purchased ladybugs (in larvae or adult form) in the most pest-infested part of your garden (While the pests themselves are difficult to see, the damages they cause are not http://www.biofloris.com/insects.htm.The ladybugs (adults or larvae) will start eating immediately, thanks to their ferocious appetites.
There are different types of ladybugs in North America – some 350 varieties. What is important for gardeners to understand is that some ladybugs are more efficient than others. This usually has to do with their origin and thus with their ability to adapt to and perform in a given environment. The “non-native Asian lady beetle”(Harmonia axyridis), for example, has a habit of invading homes in the fall while searching for a place to spend the winter; this of course presents gardeners with problems once the gardening season is over. On the other hand, varieties such as the spotted ladybug (Coleomegilla maculata Timb.) and the convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens G.-M.) do not turn into pests once the gardening season is finished: they spend the winter outside, beneath leaf litter and stones.
For best results, it is preferable to purchase ladybugs in larva form. Larvae tend to stick around – they have no wings yet- and will therefore spend a longer period of time in your garden.
Gardeners can help their newly acquired ladybugs feel even more at home, thus improving their efficiency, by adding some of the following to their garden :
- Sweet alyssum
- Golden rod
- Daisies
- Yarrow
- Dill
- Mint
All these plants supply the ladybugs with pollen.
HERE ARE ANSWERS TO A FEW VERY FREQUENTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT LADYBUGS.
How will www.biofloris.com send me the ladybugs I purchase?
As for all the products www.biofloris.com sells, customers receive their orders by courier within a few days of making their purchase. The ladybugs come in a small cotton bag enclosed in a type of packaging that is secure for both the insect and the customer.
I have never applied live insects before. Is it complicated?
The application procedure for ladybugs is very simple and is clearly explained on http://www.biofloris.com/products-ladybug.html.
Must I release the ladybugs immediately, as soon as I receive them?
Ideally, yes. However, the ladybugs can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 2 days after delivery.
How do I know where to release the ladybugs I bought?
Simply identify which areas of your garden are infested by aphids and mites. To do this, simply click on www.biofloris.com/insects.html.
This is already the middle of July; is it too late to apply ladybugs in my garden?
No, on the contrary. Now is just the right time of year; this is when pest insects such as aphids and mites actually begin to appear. Furthermore, the latter do not take holiday breaks: they will continue to destroy your plants right through September.
Will I have to repeat a ladybug application, and therefore purchase, before the arrival of fall?
Normally, one single application of ladybugs in July or August should do the trick in getting rid of pest insects such as aphids and mites which tend to destroy plants in gardens. However, depending on a variety of factors such as weather, garden size, plant types, etc. a second application may prove necessary a few weeks following the first.
I don’t want the ladybugs I bought to fly off into the neighbor’s garden. What should I do?
This is the reason why it is imperative to release the purchased ladybugs directly in the aphid and mite infested parts of the garden. The ladybugs will immediately begin to eat these pest insects and will therefore not be attracted to surrounding areas including the neighbor’s garden.
I’ve heard that ladybugs tend to invade the inside of homes once the summer is over. Is this true?
As mentioned above, it is not true for the species of ladybug sold by www.biofloris.com: the Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens G.-M.). Native of North America, this ladybug is fully adapted to our environment and spends the winter outdoors. There are ladybug varieties (for example: the non-native Asian Lady Beetle- Harmonia axyridis) who enter homes in the fall and stay for the winter but www.biofloris.com does not sell this variety.
What is so outstanding about the Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens G.-M.)?
Native of North America, this ladybug is completely adapted to our environment allowing it to provide maximum results in the fight against pest insects. Moreover, it spends its winters outdoors.
Why does biofloris.com sell live ladybugs?
First and foremost: it’s part of our mission. Also, last year, we received an overwhelming number of emails from gardeners wanting to know where they can buy live insects, in particular ladybugs. Our research was not exhaustive, but it did not lead us to any purchasing points towards which we could direct these requests.