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Scientists Delve Into Ladybug Mystery
Washington Post ^ | October 5, 2008 | Mary Esch

Posted on 10/05/2008 8:12:31 PM PDT by neverdem

Associated Press

ITHACA, N.Y. -- The nine-spotted ladybug was considered so common, charismatic and crop-friendly that it was adopted in 1989 as New York's official state insect.

As it turns out, the species may have disappeared from the state nearly two decades before that. Recent surveys in New York and the Northeast have found none of the once-ubiquitous beetles entomologists call Coccinella novemnotata-- or C-9, for short.

The decline of C-9 and other native ladybugs happened so quickly and precipitously that scientists have launched a nationwide project to try to understand why some species have all but vanished while others have greatly increased their numbers and range.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: New York
KEYWORDS: c9; environment; ladybugs; science
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1 posted on 10/05/2008 8:12:32 PM PDT by neverdem
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To: neverdem

Why that’s simple....
...it’s Bush’s fault.


2 posted on 10/05/2008 8:14:01 PM PDT by big'ol_freeper (Gen. George S. Patton to Michael Moore... American Carol: "I really like slapping you.")
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To: neverdem

Bush’s fault!


3 posted on 10/05/2008 8:14:15 PM PDT by KoRn ("Change": Come Help A Nitwit Get Elected)
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To: neverdem

Now that you mention it, I haven’ seen any ladybugs in San Diego in a couple years. Usually we get a few times a year when they are swarming. Anyone else notice?


4 posted on 10/05/2008 8:14:38 PM PDT by Defiant (With Barney Frank, a reach across the aisle just becomes a reach-around.)
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To: neverdem

Ladybugs are so smart leaving the liberal northeast.


5 posted on 10/05/2008 8:15:05 PM PDT by shield (A wise man's heart is at his RIGHT hand;but a fool's heart at his LEFT. Ecc 10:2)
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To: Defiant

We’re all broke out with ‘em up here in Placer County.


6 posted on 10/05/2008 8:17:29 PM PDT by sierrahome (I am pro choice on light bulbs)
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To: neverdem

Ever since they got permission from the courts to start marrying honeybees, both species have been in decline.


7 posted on 10/05/2008 8:19:23 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: neverdem

The red ones haven’t been around for years. The Orange Asian ones are a pest; congregating in huge numbers at building entrances this time of year, and showing up inside all winter long.


8 posted on 10/05/2008 8:19:36 PM PDT by Minn (Here is a realistic picture of the prophet: ----> ([: {()
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To: neverdem

The answer: They got eaten by something.


9 posted on 10/05/2008 8:19:50 PM PDT by muawiyah
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To: neverdem

Its called punctuated equilibrium.


10 posted on 10/05/2008 8:20:24 PM PDT by HerrBlucher (Hey DU: Shut your festering gobs, you vacuous, toffee-nosed, malodorous perverts!)
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To: neverdem

I live in New York and I can tell you I have seen them.


11 posted on 10/05/2008 8:20:29 PM PDT by CaptRon (Perdicaris alive or Raisuli dead)
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To: neverdem

A few years ago Michigan was invaded by the yellowish looking ladybug. Gosh those were awful.


12 posted on 10/05/2008 8:20:53 PM PDT by dragonblustar (Once abolish the God, and the government becomes the God - G. K. Chesterton)
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To: neverdem

“An unforeseen consequence of the Asian ladybug’s importation is that the insect has a habit of swarming on — and in — homes, making it somewhat of a nuisance”.

It will also bite you unlike the domestic nine-spotted ladybug. I hate ‘em.


13 posted on 10/05/2008 8:22:04 PM PDT by Amor patriae
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To: neverdem

Bayer pesticides again?


14 posted on 10/05/2008 8:22:52 PM PDT by GBA
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To: Defiant
I never see them anymore. I used to buy some every now and then - they're great for eating aphids on fruit trees.

Maybe the ones sold around the country were able to mate with the "locals" but not able to produce offspring. Who knows?

15 posted on 10/05/2008 8:23:57 PM PDT by GOPJ (More BAILOUTS coming: Mutual&Hedge funds, Credit & Insurance companies, States. It's SHAKEDOWN TIME.)
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To: sierrahome

So that’s where they went!


16 posted on 10/05/2008 8:24:23 PM PDT by Defiant (With Barney Frank, a reach across the aisle just becomes a reach-around.)
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To: neverdem

Damn you, Karl Rove, and your infernal anti-nine-spotted-ladybug chemtrails!


17 posted on 10/05/2008 8:24:51 PM PDT by B-Chan (Catholic. Monarchist. Texan. Any questions?)
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To: neverdem

Interesting. Now that I think about it, I used to see ladybugs all the time when I was a kid. In all honesty, I can’t remember seeing one in the last 20 years.


18 posted on 10/05/2008 8:25:56 PM PDT by oldvike
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To: neverdem
A ladybug story.

19 posted on 10/05/2008 8:27:24 PM PDT by I see my hands (_8(|)
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To: Minn

re: the orange ones —they generally show up over my dining table around Thanksgiving. I’ve just started spraying them with insect spray and vacuuming them up - they are the nastiest things.


20 posted on 10/05/2008 8:27:28 PM PDT by Tuscaloosa Goldfinch (My new favorite quote "You can't organize clutter.")
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