Why does a ladybug have spots?
Why do ladybugs have spots? Why are ladybugs important? These are some of the questions that were answered at the Lewes Public Library’s Children’s Learning Garden July 22.
The ladybug is not actually a bug at all; rather, they are beetles. One of their main purposes is to consume plant-eating insects, making them very helpful to gardens. They can consume up to 5,000 aphids – small sap-sucking insects - in their lifetime. Their color and spots are a defense mechanism to ward off potential predators. Not all ladybugs have the same number of spots, and it is a myth that the number of spots equals its age.
More than 30 children attended the program, helping release 30,000 ladybugs into the garden. For more information, go to www.lewesinbloom.org/gardens/childrens-learning-garden.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
