If nettles are good for ladybirds, they’ll definitely thrive around here! My sister used to say that when she saw a ladybird it was my mum looking out for her. Then, on my way to my sister’s funeral during Covid with all the car windows down to allow the fresh air to flow, a ladybird flew into the car and settled on her grandson’s shoulder. So, despite thinking my sister was somewhat daft, I always say “Hi Mum” whenever I see a ladybird. 🐞 Thanks for sharing, very interesting and informative.
Thanks Dave, I’m sorry to hear about your sister. But that’s a lovely story about the ladybird! I have a similar response when I see blue tits, they always remind me of my dad.
Oh yes, ladybirds make me happy. Even more so now that I learned so many new fascinating things about them. Hibernating ladybirds? Ladybirds in space? Love it! 🤓 Thank you so much for sharing!
I once had one land on my arm while I was digging a trench. I suppose it liked the taste of my sweat because it bit me! I didn’t even know they COULD bite humans. I still love them, though.
Ok this is news to me, I didn’t know they could bite either!! I just looked it up, and apparently it’s rare and only if provoked… maybe you were digging up its cosy bed or something? 😆🐞
I love ladybirds (lady bugs over here in the states, as you mentioned) and I just adore that photo of yours where the ladybug is scaling the rock 🧗🏻♀️ looks so grand!
Excellent article, thanks. A great place to find hibernating ladybirds is a cemetery! Look on gravestones that sit under trees, especially gravestones with ornate patterning....
That was a delightful read, Melissa, thank you. I'm sad to say I've found several dead ladybirds inside our cottage over the winter. It may be that I disturbed some that were hibernating in gaps in our window frames. I had to open the windows to release cluster flies that had emerged, I imagine, in response to warmth and/or sunlight. I have much to learn about insect hibernation in dwellings and how to help them!
Hi Jessica, thank you for your comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I thoroughly enjoyed researching and writing it.
It’s hard when insects come into our homes isn’t it? We had an entire colony of bees nesting in our chimney last year - and it’s so hard to know what to do for best when they are somewhere they shouldn’t be!
Enjoyed the read Melissa. Try searching your local churchyard during winter months. They often hibernate in groups inside gaps / cracks in old headstones.
Fascinating read! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining industry line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking. Dm me if interested in a recommendation swap — we’re growing fast!
Thank you Melissa for your gorgeous post. My family visited Mt Etna volcano in Sicily, to the peak several years ago. It was totally barren with the exception of swarms of ladybirds! They fly there to hibernate where it’s cooler and where they escape rodents and birds. It was last thing we expected!
I’ve also once purchased ladybird eggs to place onto my aphid laden viburnum. That was interesting to watch them hatch into larvae, then I lost track of them.
Wow great information and photos, thankyou ☺️
Thanks Hayley! 🌿🙏
Hey Melissa, what a cool piece. Really, really good. I can see I’m one of many who enjoyed reading it and who, I guess, must be into ladybirds too.
Loved it.
Thank you so much. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. You’re right, there are a lot of people out there who love ladybirds as much as we do!
🐞
The ladybirds live on this tree at my elementary school. I used to climb the tree to get them
Climbing trees and ladybird spotting - a fab combination!
If nettles are good for ladybirds, they’ll definitely thrive around here! My sister used to say that when she saw a ladybird it was my mum looking out for her. Then, on my way to my sister’s funeral during Covid with all the car windows down to allow the fresh air to flow, a ladybird flew into the car and settled on her grandson’s shoulder. So, despite thinking my sister was somewhat daft, I always say “Hi Mum” whenever I see a ladybird. 🐞 Thanks for sharing, very interesting and informative.
Thanks Dave, I’m sorry to hear about your sister. But that’s a lovely story about the ladybird! I have a similar response when I see blue tits, they always remind me of my dad.
When I was a kid we called them “lady bugs”—I love them.
Oh yes, ladybirds make me happy. Even more so now that I learned so many new fascinating things about them. Hibernating ladybirds? Ladybirds in space? Love it! 🤓 Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks so much Maja! I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🐞
Lovely photos, and so much information. They are such beautiful creatures
Thanks Lisa! I really enjoyed researching this one 🐞
Finally, a native Ladybug! They've gotten so rare due to the invasive Asian orange ladybugs..
I once had one land on my arm while I was digging a trench. I suppose it liked the taste of my sweat because it bit me! I didn’t even know they COULD bite humans. I still love them, though.
I must’ve been!
Ok this is news to me, I didn’t know they could bite either!! I just looked it up, and apparently it’s rare and only if provoked… maybe you were digging up its cosy bed or something? 😆🐞
I love ladybirds (lady bugs over here in the states, as you mentioned) and I just adore that photo of yours where the ladybug is scaling the rock 🧗🏻♀️ looks so grand!
Thanks Niquelle! It’s a personal favourite photo 😍
Excellent article, thanks. A great place to find hibernating ladybirds is a cemetery! Look on gravestones that sit under trees, especially gravestones with ornate patterning....
Thanks Juliet. I adore old cemeteries - so I’m very happy to have another excuse to visit one 🐞😍
That was a delightful read, Melissa, thank you. I'm sad to say I've found several dead ladybirds inside our cottage over the winter. It may be that I disturbed some that were hibernating in gaps in our window frames. I had to open the windows to release cluster flies that had emerged, I imagine, in response to warmth and/or sunlight. I have much to learn about insect hibernation in dwellings and how to help them!
Hi Jessica, thank you for your comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I thoroughly enjoyed researching and writing it.
It’s hard when insects come into our homes isn’t it? We had an entire colony of bees nesting in our chimney last year - and it’s so hard to know what to do for best when they are somewhere they shouldn’t be!
Such beautiful photographs, and such joy from the ladybugs. I didn’t know they hibernated. Loved this ❤️✨
Thank you Anna 🐞💚
Enjoyed the read Melissa. Try searching your local churchyard during winter months. They often hibernate in groups inside gaps / cracks in old headstones.
Thank you! I love old cemeteries, so I will be sure to do that 😊
Fascinating read! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining industry line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking. Dm me if interested in a recommendation swap — we’re growing fast!
check us out:
https://thesecretingredient.substack.com
Thank you Melissa for your gorgeous post. My family visited Mt Etna volcano in Sicily, to the peak several years ago. It was totally barren with the exception of swarms of ladybirds! They fly there to hibernate where it’s cooler and where they escape rodents and birds. It was last thing we expected!
I’ve also once purchased ladybird eggs to place onto my aphid laden viburnum. That was interesting to watch them hatch into larvae, then I lost track of them.
Thank you Cerina 💚
That’s so fascinating! I had no idea they did that, but it makes total sense they would go somewhere nice and warm I guess?
I also didn’t know you could purchase ladybird eggs! I’m learning so much by writing this Substack, I love it!
Me too! I’m on a steep learning curve!