July 15, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread by Lewis & Clark College Lady beetles, also known as ladybugs, are distinct, varied and abundant, with approximately 500 species in North America and 6,000 worldwide. Their oval, dome-shaped bodies can be colorful and decorative, but the "lady" designation has nothing to do with their appearance.
According to National Geographic , European farmers in the Middle Ages called these helpful insects "Beetles of Our Lady," a reference to the Virgin Mary to whom they prayed for good crops. Lady beetles are superheroes to farmers and gardeners because they devour potentially destructive pests. "For decades, researchers in my field have been looking at the diversity of these beneficial insects," says Heidi Liere, assistant professor of biology.
"We often get the question, 'Are non-native species as beneficial as native species?'" Liere is a community insect ecologist who is currently studying interactions between native species and non-native species of lady beetles in the Portland area. She is also an expert in the field of agroecology, which applies ecological concepts to agriculture with an eye toward sustainable farming that works with nature. Liere's research is focused on understanding the links between biodiversity and ecosy.
