The British version goes,
"Ladybird, ladybird fly away home,
Your house in on fire and your children are gone"
Farmers knew of the Ladybird's value in reducing the level of pests in their crops and it was traditional for them to cry out the rhyme before they burnt their fields following harvests (this reduced the level of insects and pests) in deference to the helpful ladybird.
I was going to glue a broken object and had placed a toothpick on the table. The next thing I knew this ladybug was climbing on it. I think it's one of those nasty Asian ladybugs by the spots. I say, "nasty" because one bit me. Honest!
Asian Ladybird: http://365project.org/skipt07/potpourri/2014-12-18
@lyndemc - I had been trying to take pictures of a female Cardinal at the birdfeeder earlier. When I saw this I used my 70-200 mm lens with all three extension tubes. At 2.8 it really reduced the DoF. I was surprised since I had the white balanced set to auto how orange this turned out. But it works.
And forgot to comment, showed this to my boys and we counted the spots. They couldn't grasp the name, Ladybird, 'it's not a bird, mama', my eldest of three said. I told him the Dutch name, lieveheersbeestje. Literally translated sweet little animal of God. That name went down better. And then talk on, and I forgot to comment :-)
@kareenking - You are very kind Kareen! Thank you!
@sailingmusic - The Asian Ladybirds are attracted to light colors. Three years ago there was a huge infestation of these in and around Northwestern Pennsylvania. At least that I am aware of. We have a white house and they were all over the house. We went to a state park and the ranger's station was inundated by them. They have diminished in number since then. They find their way into home and will normally go to a light source. Around lamps or around windows. From what I understand they don't reproduce inside a home. One easy way to tell the difference between the American and Asian is that the Asian has a marking on what is called the cheeks of the beetle. The cheeks is the area behind the head.. Depending on what direction you are looking at the beetle you will see an 'M' from the back or a 'W' from the front on the cheeks. You can't make it out in this photo. The Asian beetle does bite humans. I will post a photo in my Potpourri album so you can see the 'W'.
@cejaanderson - Your little ladybug is adorable Jane!
@skstein - The Asian ladybugs bite not American Ladybugs. Man once again introduce an insect to a non-native habitat and now we are being over run to the point that in some areas the American Ladybug is diminishing because of the lack of food. All Ladybugs eat aphids which are very harmful to plants.
@icamera - Only the Asian variety bites. The first time it happened I thought it was just a jag or pinch from its legs. When it happened the second time I started looking on the internet to see what I could find. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia; "This species is widely considered to be one of the world’s most invasive insects,[8][9] partly due to their tendency to overwinter indoors and the unpleasant odor and stain left by their bodily fluid when frightened or squashed, as well as their tendency to bite humans.[8]"
I don't think I would like being bitten by anything this small! I'll have to look at the photo I took the other day of a lady bug but I don't think we would have an Asian one here - lots of the other kind though!
@maggiemae - It feels like a little prick. I haven't experienced any itching or redness after being bit. I don't know what others have experienced after being bitten.
@radiogirl - This is the Asian variety. The common Ladybug or Lady Beetle of North America doesn't bite. See my response to iCamera above that I took out of Wikipedia.
Love the detail in the picture. I really also enjoyed reading the many comments about ladybugs/ladybirds. Learned quite a few new facts tonight. Love 365 and its many learned folks!
I have been bit by one of the Asian lady bugs too! Not nice! I have always preferred the British name over the American name. Great shot of this ladybird. I really like the selective focus.
@lyndemc - I had been trying to take pictures of a female Cardinal at the birdfeeder earlier. When I saw this I used my 70-200 mm lens with all three extension tubes. At 2.8 it really reduced the DoF. I was surprised since I had the white balanced set to auto how orange this turned out. But it works.
@julienne1 - They are! I know they eat aphids which is a good thing.
@seattlite - Thank you very much Gloria!
@catwhiskers - Hi Nan! It's good to hear from you again! Thank you for your very kind comment!
@_catherine_ - That is understandable! Thank you for your fav!
@overalvandaan - Thank you Saxa for the fav!
@gilbertwood - Thank you Denise and you are welcome!
@kareenking - You are very kind Kareen! Thank you!
@sailingmusic - The Asian Ladybirds are attracted to light colors. Three years ago there was a huge infestation of these in and around Northwestern Pennsylvania. At least that I am aware of. We have a white house and they were all over the house. We went to a state park and the ranger's station was inundated by them. They have diminished in number since then. They find their way into home and will normally go to a light source. Around lamps or around windows. From what I understand they don't reproduce inside a home. One easy way to tell the difference between the American and Asian is that the Asian has a marking on what is called the cheeks of the beetle. The cheeks is the area behind the head.. Depending on what direction you are looking at the beetle you will see an 'M' from the back or a 'W' from the front on the cheeks. You can't make it out in this photo. The Asian beetle does bite humans. I will post a photo in my Potpourri album so you can see the 'W'.
@laurielizard
@skstein - The Asian ladybugs bite not American Ladybugs. Man once again introduce an insect to a non-native habitat and now we are being over run to the point that in some areas the American Ladybug is diminishing because of the lack of food. All Ladybugs eat aphids which are very harmful to plants.
@icamera - Only the Asian variety bites. The first time it happened I thought it was just a jag or pinch from its legs. When it happened the second time I started looking on the internet to see what I could find. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia; "This species is widely considered to be one of the world’s most invasive insects,[8][9] partly due to their tendency to overwinter indoors and the unpleasant odor and stain left by their bodily fluid when frightened or squashed, as well as their tendency to bite humans.[8]"
@lynnz - Thank you Lynn!
@paulaw - Thank you very much Paula! The America Ladybug is easier to like.
@nicoleterheide - Thank you Nicole!
FAV
@radiogirl - This is the Asian variety. The common Ladybug or Lady Beetle of North America doesn't bite. See my response to iCamera above that I took out of Wikipedia.