Did you know there was such a thing as a State insect?
The State flower named a Rose. OK.
The State bird designated as the Eastern Bluebird. Got it.
The State animal/mammal winner is the beaver. We’re on board.
But a State insect? Yes, it is a lady bug, and not just any lady bug, it?s the nine-spotted ladybug.
According to Wikipedia, The nine-spotted ladybug has been the state insect of New York since 1989, though its numbers have declined as the numbers of introduced species such as the seven-spotted ladybug and Asian lady beetle have increased. It was for some time thought extinct in New York, so in 2006, the state considered designating the pink spotted ladybug as state insect instead, but the bill did not pass the Senate. In 2006 the nine-spotted ladybug was rediscovered in Virginia (the first East Coast sighting in 14 years).
In 2011, about 20 of these ladybugs were found on a farm in Amagansett, New York, the first such sighting in the state since 1982.
The New York Times also wrote an article about this sighting entitled, Ladybug, Ladybug, Welcome Back Home: Good News for the Official State Insect, By JAMES GORMAN on November 24, 2011. It is an interesting read if you have time.
Thoughts of ladybugs conjure up visions of flowers and springtime. But lady bugs can be destructive and can appear in large numbers searching for a hibernation spot. When threatened, they can secrete a yellow liquid that may stain light-colored surfaces. (Read more from our blog post about ladybugs.)
Here in Upstate New York, those feelings of Springtime may have to wait for a while. In the meantime, spend some time organizing your basement and garage and clean out old things that have been collecting dust, mold, or insects and pests.
Did you find some droppings from nuisance wildlife or some signs of mold that need assessment and remediation? Contact us for a free home or commercial inspection and get ahead of the pest and nuisance wildlife seasons soon to be upon us.
Welcome back ladybug.
