Sunday, May 22, 2011

Bugs in The Backyard - Ladybug Larvae


I noticed this afternoon, that our ladybug eggs looked different. It looked like they had turned brown. So, I pulled the petal off of the dried up apple blossom they were sitting on, and moved it to a plate, where we could examine them through the magnifier.


And, sure enough - they were ladybug larvae. We watched them for a while, as they squirmed, and moved around, testing new, transparent legs. It was very interesting.



Then, being thoroughly satisfied that they were indeed ladybugs, we returned them to the apple tree, where we found them.


Right now they just look like little black dots, so there would be no way we'd see them, or any of the others, that I noticed have also started to hatch, on the bark of the tree. But, now that we know for certain they are ladybug larvae, we'll be keeping our eyes open for them, as they grow, over the next three to four weeks.

It's great to be a homeschooler.

10 comments:

Phyllis said...

That is cool. How did you get such great photos under the viewer?

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

Phyllis - If you hold the viewer really steady, and place the camera at just the right angle, with the lense over the viewer, it works.

Little Wonders' Days said...

Now that is cool! How long before they're full grown ladybugs?

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

From what I've read it's 3-4 weeks as larva, and a week or so as pupa, then they're adults.

Christy Killoran said...

Very cool! Maybe we will get ladybugs from Insect Lore.

Mom of 12 said...

I'm so not liking bugs...can't we do something cool with bananas?
Sandy

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

Mom of 12 - I'm sure we could - there just aren't as many of those in the backyard :)

Ticia said...

Those are great pictures! I'm so impressed you were able to get them~!

Debbie said...

We will have to learn all about bugs and insects from your backyard.

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

You are a good photographer! I guess next year we will break down and get some bug hatching kit if they won't have them in school. And all the baking to go with the bug study... I am still amazed that you find time to do it all.