A True Lady

  Mark and I were out back inspecting the plum trees when a tiny red dot caught my attention.  Scurrying about on the plum leaves was a pretty little Ladybug.  My first thought was...does it have an "M"?  I sure hoped this was a Ladybug and not an Asian Beetle.  I did not need more critters munching away on my plants.  Back a year or so ago, I searched for a telltale sign that would assure me as to which beetle was which.  I found that Asian Beetles have a whitish spot between their back and head.  On this splotch there is an "M" (or a "W" depending on which way you are looking at the beetle.  True Ladybugs do not bear this brand.  A quick check of Mrs. Bug's back made me breath a sigh of relief.  There was no letter at all!  This one was a true Ladybug.

  Ladybugs are not bugs at all but rather are beetles.  With that thought, perhaps we should call them Lady Beetles but, then again, not all are ladies, therefore, that would be erroneous as well.  Plus, since the name has been around for hundreds of years, I doubt too many folks would change anyway. The name came about during the Middle Ages.  Legend has it that a hoard of aphids were eating all the crops causing the farmers much dismay.  They prayed to the Virgin Mary to send help.  No sooner had they prayed than a swarm of beetles came and started eating the aphids.  These bright red beetles saved the crops and, thus, saved many farmers.  The grateful farmers, once again, prayed and thanked the Lady Mary for sending the beetles.  The Farmers named the beetles "Our Lady's Beetles" and over time the name was shortened to Ladybugs.  

  My little Ladybug went flying away as I was photographing her.  I suppose she was a bit camera shy but the beetle's action made me think of my grandmother.  When I was small she would point out Ladybugs on the flowers.  She would gingerly pick up one and say..

 "Ladybug, Ladybug, flyaway home!  

Your house is on fire and your children are gone, 

All except one and that's Little Ann, 

For she crept under the frying pan!"

  Now when you think about that rhyme, it does not seem to be a delightful little ditty to be singing to wee tots.  In reality, it is rather frightening.  Poor Little Ann!  In truth, most nursery rhymes were not too very pleasant.  Again, legend has it that this one started as a warning cry during the time when Catholics were prohibited from celebrating Mass over in England during the late 1500's to mid 1600's. Catholic priests took to holding Mass in open fields but were often executed for doing so.  The rhyme became a sort of warning when the authorities were near. One never knows just what is behind these rhymes we sing!  

  Still, I was happy to find the little Ladybug flitting about the fruit trees and I am in hopes that many more will be spied in the gardens soon. Where there is one, there has to be more!  And, perhaps, then more and more of the friendly little beetles instead of so many aphids!  So, Ladybug, do NOT flyaway home! Stay here!