The Summer of Ladybugs

They crawl out from warm mulch, just after snow,
In hidings from tunnels row after row;
They rest among dew drops and fly out to bring
Their red spots of colors to gardens of spring.
~Marlene Glaus

Ladybugs congregate on the end of a stem.

 

This past summer we saw an infestation of ladybugs. They were everywhere. The air was thick with them. I couldn't walk from the house to the car without having to pick several out of my hair. At first it was awe-inspiring--I had never seen so many ladybugs in one place. They would congregate together in huge bunches (apparently mating) when the sun was in and then take to the air en masse, filling the sky, when the sun came out.

The local news did a report on the phenomenon and said they would disperse in a few weeks. They didn't.  The nights started to get cooler on the mountain and I was sure they would depart for greener (and warmer) pastures. They didn't. We got a foot of snow last week and endured many cold, snowy days. Surely that would take care of them. Au contraire. They are as numerous (if not more so) than ever and are still at it, eager to reproduce.

I wonder if they will be around all winter??

A Ladybug walks across a patch of ice.

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