In this day of Space discovery, it is paradoxical that we still know and understand so little of our earthbound world, in particular the vast world of lifeforms we know as insects. And our knowledge is tinged with ignorance which should embarrass us, but does not. We cannot help considering insects to be loathsome and, to some, frightening. There are even bug zappers on the market which attract and electrocute insects indiscriminately, as humans thoughtlessly annihilate a positive link in the natural chain. Such prejudice belies the human frailty of easy generalization.
Insect equals bad , in the way that foreigner equals threat .
Here are some desirable insects, offered in the hope that familiarization will lead to understanding, which will lead to better gardening. It is also a voracious feeder upon damaging insects, of so much benefit that it was originally called Our Lady s beetle. Both the adult beetle and the larva destroy aphids, mites, mealybugs, scales, and other tiny insect pests. In spring, the adult emerges from hibernation under garden litter, or it hatches from a pupa on a tree branch or leaf. In five to 13 days, each female attaches as many as 1,500 orange eggs onto garden leaves.