Lost Ladybug Project
Lost Ladybug Project
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The data that is collected helps scientists learn about the different species and population sizes of ladybugs around the country.
The data that is collected helps scientists learn about the different species and population sizes of ladybugs around the country.
Goals of Lost Ladybug Project Research:
Goals of Lost Ladybug Project Research:
- Track ladybug populations.
- Some species are endangered or at risk of extirpation (local extinction)
- Investigate the severity of the invasive ladybugs in areas.
- Invasive ladybugs drive out native species.
- Monitor shifts in distribution of various species.
Why should you care?
Why should you care?
Ladybugs are important for your ecosystem!
Ladybugs are important for your ecosystem!
Ladybugs take on many roles in the ecosystem to keep it healthy and efficient:
Ladybugs take on many roles in the ecosystem to keep it healthy and efficient:
- Contribute to overall species diversity
- Eat bugs that damage crops
- Pollinate flowers and crops
- Part of the food web and food chain
And so much more!
And so much more!
Did you know?
Did you know?
Scaring an adult ladybug makes it leak a foul-smelling liquid that leaves yellow stains on the surface below. This is adaptation that prevents animals from eating it!
Scaring an adult ladybug makes it leak a foul-smelling liquid that leaves yellow stains on the surface below. This is adaptation that prevents animals from eating it!
Native ladybugs are being pushed out!
Native ladybugs are being pushed out!
Indiana and the rest of the country used to have several species of native ladybugs.
Indiana and the rest of the country used to have several species of native ladybugs.
However, many species of invasive ladybugs came and started taking food, resources, and spaces from the native ladybugs.
However, many species of invasive ladybugs came and started taking food, resources, and spaces from the native ladybugs.
Scientists aren't sure if the native ladybugs are still here, if they are endangered or not, how many are there are, or where they are living!
Scientists aren't sure if the native ladybugs are still here, if they are endangered or not, how many are there are, or where they are living!
How Invasives Get Here
How Invasives Get Here
The Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle looks like our North American ladybug, but it's really an invasive species!
The Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle looks like our North American ladybug, but it's really an invasive species!
The Asian Lady Beetle was introduced into the states intentionally during the 1970´s to perform chemical-free pest control but eventually took over.
The Asian Lady Beetle was introduced into the states intentionally during the 1970´s to perform chemical-free pest control but eventually took over.
Here are some species that are considered "lost" and rare!
Here are some species that are considered "lost" and rare!
The Two-Spotted Ladybug!
The Two-Spotted Ladybug!
The Nine-Spotted Ladybug!
The Nine-Spotted Ladybug!
Who Runs Lost Ladybug Project?
Who Runs Lost Ladybug Project?
The Lost Ladybug Project functions as an independent project. It was started in 2000 when Cornell researchers started surveying ladybug populations across New York State.
The Lost Ladybug Project functions as an independent project. It was started in 2000 when Cornell researchers started surveying ladybug populations across New York State.
How Do I Participate?
How Do I Participate?
Students will capture, photograph, and attempt to identify ladybugs wherever they find them.
Students will capture, photograph, and attempt to identify ladybugs wherever they find them.
All ladybugs sightings are accepted, but especially the "lost" ones.
All ladybugs sightings are accepted, but especially the "lost" ones.
You should attempt to identify ladybugs based on your sight of them in order to submit correct data.
You should attempt to identify ladybugs based on your sight of them in order to submit correct data.
Don't worry, we have digital guides that can help you tell them apart!
Don't worry, we have digital guides that can help you tell them apart!
There are no time or frequency requirements.
There are no time or frequency requirements.
You can observe ladybugs and submit data whenever possible!
You can observe ladybugs and submit data whenever possible!
How is my data used?
How is my data used?
The entomologists (insect scientists) use data collected by the community to:
The entomologists (insect scientists) use data collected by the community to:
- Identify the ladybug species living in the US
- Track what invasive ladybugs are present in areas
- Determine if any of our native ladybugs are endangered or on the verge of extinction
This data collected by the Lost Ladybug Project has gone to 10 scientific publications about ladybugs, beetles, and environmental science!
This data collected by the Lost Ladybug Project has gone to 10 scientific publications about ladybugs, beetles, and environmental science!
Project Perks
Project Perks
Lost Ladybug Project gives you the opportunity to explore outside whenever you like.
Lost Ladybug Project gives you the opportunity to explore outside whenever you like.
This project gives vital data to scientists that are helping save and search for rare ladybugs.
This project gives vital data to scientists that are helping save and search for rare ladybugs.
You can train your photography skills and even handle live ladybugs!
Data can be entered easily-even on a smartphone.
You can train your photography skills and even handle live ladybugs!
Data can be entered easily-even on a smartphone.
Fast Notes
Fast Notes
- The data collected by the Lost Ladybug Project has gone to 10 scientific publications about ladybugs, beetles, and environmental science.
- Ladybugs are important for our ecosystem, but our native species are threatened by invasive species.
- Lost Ladybug focuses on all ladybugs, but especially the rare "lost" species.
- The Lost Ladybug Project functions as an independent project.
- This project allows you to collect data whenever and wherever you want, without any restrictions.
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