: Twice-stabbed lady beetle

What’s black, red and on your plants?

I bet you automatically thought “Lady Bug” (which isn’t actually a “bug”, but is a true beetle). Today’s insect du jour is a Twice-stabbed lady beetle. The Twice-stabbed lady beetle is a cousin of the Lady Beetle, only their coloring is reversed. Red spots on a black back-round. Martin found them munching away at some scale insects. A bug that eats scale??? How great is that! Apparently, these little bugs, dressed for a night out on the town, love eating scale. Their babies are just as good at the job, as mom and dad are.

You can read more about these good guys at:

https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-16_twicestabbed_ladybug.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinellidae

https://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/bimg158.html

This article explains what a true bug is:

https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/true-bugs

Mantra of the week

“Ladybugs are not bugs, they are beneficial beetles and they come in many shapes and sizes. I will not kill insects willy nilly. I will find out what they are first and leave the good ones alone.” Repeat often and thank the good insects for their hard work.