6/5/09

Post date: Jun 5, 2009 11:11:32 PM

Ladybugs at the Beach

We recently went on a hike to a remote beach at Point Reyes National Seashore in northern California. Although Point Reyes is one of the foggiest and windiest places in North America, it is a place full of surprises and magical beauty. The rolling green hills were covered with yellow bush lupine flowers.

The coastline itself is very rocky and typical of the Pacific northwest. The San Andreas fault runs through the center of the park. At the Visitor Center you can see a fence that was ripped 20 feet apart by the 1906 earthquake!

After walking along the beach looking at starfish, crabs, and jellyfish, we saw a narrow trail through the rocks. We followed it to an isolated pocket beach on the other side. The beach had a special treasure – one you had to look close to see.

Millions of ladybugs had swarmed the beach and were covering the driftwood, seaweed, rocks, and sand! Pretty soon they were on us, too.

We read that ladybugs migrate in summer from California’s hot central valley to the cooler redwood forests along the coast. Scientists cannot predict or explain why ladybugs would swarm a beach; they think that the ladybugs may be attracted to the salt and minerals.

Happily, people around the world think that ladybugs bring good luck. Farmers and gardeners like ladybugs because they eat garden pests. Children like ladybugs because they are so colorful. We hope that these ladybugs brighten your day, and bring good luck to you, too!

The picture below shows the spectacular acorn weevil that we found among the ladybugs. Take a good look at his "snout". At the end of the snout is his mouth. Half way along the snout are elbowed side extensions - those are his antennae. What a great bug!