Friday, May 6, 2016

Zombie Ladybugs For Freaky Friday...!

If you are lucky, you'll see a few Ladybugs around your garden. They are supposed to be good for growing flowers and veggies.

The sad thing about Ladybugs is that the very thing that protects them from predators also makes them a target for a certain wasp. Talk about having a target painted on your back...! Here from Listverse is the scoop!

Ladybugs



Parasite: Dinocampus coccinellae

Ladybugs (or ladybirds outside the US) are distinctive for their bright red shells and black spots. As you might know, the bright colors are a defense mechanism, letting predators know that it’s probably poisonous, or at least not very tasty. And that’s exactly why dinocampus coccinellae wasps choose ladybugs to guard their young.

When an adult wasp finds a suitable ladybug, it will land, bend its stinger underneath the beetle, and implant a single egg in the ladybug’s belly. After about five days, the wasp larva will hatch and eat any ladybug larvae that might already be inside the host. Then, it will hook into the ladybug like a life support system, absorbing nutrients directly from its body (the ladybug is still moving around and eating at this point).

The wasp larva will live like this for up to a month, but after enough time has passed it slices the nerves that go to the ladybug’s legs, paralyzing it, then digs out through its belly and builds a cocoon between the ladybug’s legs. But it doesn’t kill the ladybug, not yet, because it still needs protection. So it manipulates the ladybug into sitting still, but moving and twitching slightly—just enough to let predators know it’s still alive. After 6-9 days, the fully grown wasp emerges. If the ladybug managed to stay alive for the almost 40 days it was under the control of the wasp, it’s free to go on its way.

I don't know about you, but I have a whole new respect for Ladybugs after reading this! I mean...who knew?

Coffee out on the patio this morning. Let's watch for Ladybugs!

8 comments:

Chickenmom said...

Poor, poor ladybug!I like lady bugs! In late summer they cover everything here - the house,the bard and shed. That is the only bug I don't mind having around!

linda m said...

Wow, I never heard that about Ladybugs before. Poor Ladybugs, and they are so cute. Have a great weekend.

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
Seems like the ladybug is about the only one that folks don't mind. The fact that you have so many around is a good sign!
Thanks for stopping by today!


Hey Linda...
Poor indeed! I wonder how many survive the full time of being a zombie?
Thanks for coming by today!

Momlady said...

I don't have lady bugs, I have Asian lady beetles. They look just like a lady bug but invade your house in the winter instead of being in the garden. They are annoying, stink and don't taste good. They like the east and south sides of the house. I hate waking up in the middle of the night feeling one crawling on me.

Hermit's Baby Sis said...

Wow! And wonder how it survives afterward with no legs?!?
Zombie, indeed. Gives one a whole new respect for the critters ...
Maybe see you Sunday ~

JO said...

I have seen swarms of them but now Momlady is saying Asian lady beetles are they the same size? I have noticed some that are a little larger and do have the characteristic more to the likness of a beetle? Something to find out over coffee

HermitJim said...

Hey Momlady...
Guess the first question I have is...how do you know what they taste like? I never heard of this bug before, but I'll have to look it up.
Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Sis...
I have no idea how they get along afterwards. A visit is always welcome...as long as you bring cookies!
Thanks for stopping by!


Hey Jo...
Can't help ya out with identifying them. Sorry!
Thanks for dropping by, sweetie!

Dizzy-Dick said...

My Grandma thought that they brought good luck to a home and wouldn't kill any of them. They also eat aphids, which is a good thing.