Save the Ladybugs: How You Can Help the Lost Ladybug Project

Some ladybug species have become endangered, but you can help by getting involved with the Lost Ladybug Project.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on July 28 2010

Flickr Creative Commons image by peasnap

Here at our home in Maine, we get swarms of ladybugs on the walls every year. But some of the 500 ladybug species—the ninespotted ladybug, in particular—seem to be dying off. And that’s bad news for us and our planet: ladybugs are known to eat many of the agricultural pests that destroy growing vegetables.

A decade ago, a group of scientists set out to find out what was happening to the ladybug population, so that they could determine whether the bugs had simply moved to new regions or were truly vanishing. They created a non-profit and website called The Lost Ladybug Project, and they’re asking people all over North America for their support. The request is simple: if you see a ladybug in your region, simply take a photo and upload it to their website.

So far, they’ve collected over 7,000 ladybug photos, and are hoping to collect at least 100 more by the end of summer. Do your part for science by keeping an eye out for the spotted insects and snapping their photos—and check out their site for learning resources. It’s a fantastic way to get kids involved in the conservation movement!

Filed under: Non-Profits, Science,

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