[All] Fw: just when we thought bees & butterflies were the only insects in trouble -The Lost Ladybug Project

[Lori Strothard]

Hello everyone - Apparently North America's native species of ladybugs/ladybeetles are being decimated by several non-native ladybug species from other parts of the world that have come here and are overtaking them. Some were brought here on purpose to control drop-damaging aphids! This project- The Lost Ladybug Project -based out of the US, is trying to get a handle on the numbers+ locations of how many native and non-native ladybugs are here throughout N. America, and want people to photograph and send to the website pictures of any ladybugs that we see. 

So far over 26,000 photos have been sent. If you watch the main page, the picture changes every few seconds to show various photos and tells what species they are.

http://www.lostladybug.org/index.php

This chart shows clearly the various species and gives directions on what to do to help/how to send in your photos. Several beetles shown here are native, not just the 9 spot. A great project to involve kids in, and many resources are included here for kids/ schools/teachers...lesson plans etc.

http://www.lostladybug.org/file_uploads/FieldGuide.pdf

Lets get looking and see what we can find - I for one notice that I see less and less ladybugs each summer it seems.  Lori S.

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