OT: Lost Ladybugs and Citizen Science

[museumguy]

Thats the multi-colored Asian ladybug, Harmonia axyridis. It is the most common ladybug you'll find in this area, I collect about 75 of them today before finding the rare one. In high numbers they could actually probably do some damage to a fish tank as they reflex bleed and give off some really nasty chemicals.

 

[Willistein]

How rare is the 2-spot? I know the 9-spot is basically non-existant. I'm definitely going to look in my backyard with the kids.

Based on the stench of the previously mentioned hoard we found in my brother's house, it's no wonder the release nasty stuff. Any idea what kind of chemicals?

 

[museumguy]

How rare is the 2-spot? I know the 9-spot is basically non-existant. I'm definitely going to look in my backyard with the kids.

Saying the two-spotted ladybugs are basically non-existant would not be that inaccurate.

Nine-spotted ones are about twice as rare in general, but much rarer on the East Coast. Since the program started in 2006 they've found 45 nine-spots across 16 locations in the country, and 113 two-spots at about 30 locations.

All but one of the nine-spotted were found out west, about 75% of the two-spots were out west.

 

[museumguy]

Based on the stench of the previously mentioned hoard we found in my brother's house, it's no wonder the release nasty stuff. Any idea what kind of chemicals?

Alkaloids, histamines, cardiac glucosides, quinolenes, and pyrazines. Lots of nasty stuff. Not really dangerous to people unless you get an incredible dose of it, however to sensative critters in a fish tank I don't think it would take too too much to maybe have an effect.

It is a pretty serious problem for grape growers who make wine. The ladybugs often aggregate in vinyards and when the grapes are mechanically shaken from the vine it also shakes the ladybugs loose which then reflex bleed onto the grapes. Here is an excerpt from an article:

In 2001, several Ontario wineries had to dispose a million litres of infected wine. Some tasters can detect Asian lady beetle infected wine that contains two part per trillion, the threshold is five part per trillion. An infected wine smells strongly of peanuts which many but not all consumers find objectionable. Infected wines do not represent a health hazard. Hybrid wines can contain up to 25 parts per trillion and not smell of peanuts. Surprisingly Sauvignon Blanc can contain up to 40 parts per trillion and smells, as it should naturally. Researchers have yet to determine the reasons for Sauvignon Bancs ability to tolerate much higher levels of pyrazine without smelling offensive.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I'm good at finding bugs.

I wish I had the time to go search because I'll bet I could find some two spots!

Damned Asian Ladybirds keep drowning in my sump. It seems that bugs are just as good at finding me!

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

give off some really nasty chemicals.

Is that the sort of banana-like smell you get on your hands from handling live ladybugs?

 

[museumguy]

Yup. They can leak goo from their joints on command. Its called reflex bleeding. Cool stuff.

 

[museumguy]

So I'm famous now...
http://blogs.democratandchronicle.c...-ladybug-found-in-discovery-garden-at-strong/

Also, here are the photographs and info of the first rare beetle I found, we've now found 7 all together.

http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20p?see=I_LB6242&res=640

 

[museumguy]

Also, if that picture doesn't just scream 'entomologist' then I don't know what does. sigh

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

the picture is fine. Congrats on finding a two spot! :dance:

Have you identified the species of Aphids it was preying upon?