A Ladybug’s Life An Interactive Storybook for Primary Grades By Sue Brink & Dave TelghederBy Sue Brink & Dave Telgheder

Good morning boys and girls. I am Ms. Lucky and these are my students Louie, Lee Ann, and Lisa. We are very excited to share with you some facts and myths about life as a ladybug. Next Page Like ….How they call us Ladybirds in England?

Louie is going to begin by describing our Life Cycle which lasts anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. Eggs (stage 1) (stage 1) Adult Larva Adult Larva (stage 4) (stage 2) (stage 4) (stage 2) Pupa Pupa (stage 3) (stage 3) View my baby book by Clicking on the It’s a Boy graphic! Next Page

Did you know that a female ladybug can lay up to 300 eggs at one time? Well she can. Stage 1 begins the day our mom lays the eggs and lasts until we hatch. Some eggs hatch in 2 days but others need as long as 5 days. Stage 2 begins once we have hatched. We are now called larvae. We remain in this stage for up to 21 days. Stage 1 Eggs Stage 2 Larval Next Page

Did you know that male ladybugs are smaller than female ladybugs? Yup…they are. Stage 3 begins when we attach our bellies to a leaf and change from a larvae to a pupa. This stage lasts for 7 days. Stage 4 is when we emerge from the pupa as an adult ladybug. Stage 3 Pupa Stage 4 Adult Next Page

Very nicely told Louie. Now Lee Ann, would you explain why the new adult ladybug in our photo has no spots? Sure Ms. Lucky, I would love to. Sure Ms. Lucky, I would love to. You see, when a ladybug first enters the adult stage they never have spots. It takes 24 hours for the spots to appear. You see, when a ladybug first enters the adult stage they never have spots. It takes 24 hours for the spots to appear. Did anyone notice the ladybugs color was yellow? Well, not all ladybugs are red. Ladybugs can be all different colors. Some are even white! Did anyone notice the ladybugs color was yellow? Well, not all ladybugs are red. Ladybugs can be all different colors. Some are even white! Next Page

Okay Lisa. Will you explain why farmers and gardeners like us so much? Oh yes- My favorite subject- FOOD! You know, Ladybugs might be little but we sure can eat a lot! As larvae, we can eat as many as 25 aphids in one day. But, as an adult, we eat as many as 50 in a day! Aphids are garden pests, in case you didn’t know, and that is why the farmers love us. By eating our favorite food, we help protect their crops. Click Here to watch a live ladybug cam! Next Page

Does anyone know how many times a ladybug can flap their wings in just 1 second? Oohh!! I know! Me Too! 85 Times- Wow! That’s Fast! Next Page

Ms. Lucky? Can I tell everyone some of the other interesting things we can do? Of course Lisa, what else did you have in mind? Well, we chew with our mouths from side to side rather than up and down. Isn’t that neat? Also, we have organs on our feet that we use to smell things with. I bet they don’t know anyone else that can smell with their feet! Next Page

Oh yes, the anatomy of a ladybug is quite interesting indeed. Let’s discuss this topic further. Hey kids- How many legs do we have? What is the hard shell that protects our wings called? What is a Pronotum? Click here Click here For answers

Oh yes, the anatomy of a ladybug is quite interesting indeed. Let’s discuss this topic further. Hey kids- How many legs do we have? What is the hard shell that protects our wings called? What is a Pronotum? 6 is correct! You should've said the elytra. It hides & protects our head Next Page

Here are some other interesting facts about Ladybugs: Ladybugs: We hibernate & feed on stored fat. We hibernate & feed on stored fat. We can’t fly in temperatures below 55 degrees. We can’t fly in temperatures below 55 degrees. We make a chemical that smells & tastes bad to We make a chemical that smells & tastes bad to keep birds and other predators away. keep birds and other predators away. The Ladybug is the official state insect of Delaware, The Ladybug is the official state insect of Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Tennessee. and Tennessee. Ladybugs belong to the Beetle Family & there are more than 5000 different types in the world. Next Page

In Sweden, folks believe that if a ladybug lands on a In Sweden, folks believe that if a ladybug lands on a young maiden's hand, she will soon be getting married. young maiden's hand, she will soon be getting married. In England, finding a ladybug means that you will have In England, finding a ladybug means that you will have a good harvest. a good harvest. In France, if you are sick and a ladybug lands on you, In France, if you are sick and a ladybug lands on you, when it flies away, it will take the sickness with it. when it flies away, it will take the sickness with it. If you find a ladybug in your house in the winter you will If you find a ladybug in your house in the winter you will have good luck. have good luck. Ms. Lucky- Tell them how you got your name! Well- I’d rather tell them some myths from around the world about Ladybugs and let them guess about the name. Next Page

Now do you know why her name is Ms. Lucky? That’s right, because many people from around the world believe that ladybugs are lucky. Well boys & girls we had a fantastic time telling you about a ladybug’s life. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Well boys & girls we had a fantastic time telling you about a ladybug’s life. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Click here Click here to create your very own picture of a ladybug. to create your very own picture of a ladybug. Next Page

A Ladybug’s Life Without the resources, beautiful photos & fantastic graphics, we never could’ve created this book. A big Thank You to:Without the resources, beautiful photos & fantastic graphics, we never could’ve created this book. A big Thank You to: TarynTaryn LeslieLeslie Ladybugs & Coccinelles...Ladybugs & Coccinelles... HelenHelen Label=home%20http://smithsonianimages.si.edu/siphoto/siphoto.portal?_nfpb=true&_page Label=home%20