Insect Photography - Ladybug

Nearly everyone recognizes the little red ladybug as a friendly insect. In fact, many people across the globe associate ladybugs with good fortune or good luck. Although the name varies depending on the part of the world you live in, they are known as ladybugs in North America. In Britain, they are referred to as ladybirds. Entomologists commonly refer to them as ladybird beetles or lady beetles. But, rest assured, whatever you call them, they bring cheer to the garden.

According to legend, during the middle ages in Europe, the crops of the fields were attacked by swarms of insects, prompting the farmers to pray to the Virgin Mary for help. Soon after the prayers were lifted to the heavens, thousands of ladybugs descended and began to devour the insects that were destroying the crops. The farmers soon began referring to them as the "Beetles of Our Lady" which later evolved to lady beetles and eventually to the affectionate terms ladybirds and ladybugs.

The popular nursery rhyme may have origins in agriculture. It is said that farmers set their fields afire after the harvest to control insect pests and recited this rhyme to assure the ladybugs would survive.

                                  "Ladybug (ladybird), Ladybug, Fly away home. 
                                 Your house is on fire and your children are gone."