There are many beetles crawling, walking, flying and swimming around our planet. Feel free to say, a lot of beetles. Every third species is a beetle and almost half of the insects (the largest animal group) are beetles. Furthermore, beetles (except the polar regions) are also found all over the world. The ladybug, in addition to the symbol against senseless violence, is a symbol of love and happiness. They also sometimes keep me company all winter. More on that later.

Today I have an interview with such a sweet little animal.
'Hi, would you like to introduce yourself to our readers? '

“With pleasure! I am Liesje, the ladybug.”

interview

“Beautiful. Let's start with the first question: is the number of dots of a ladybug also his age? '
I see Liesje rolling over the ground with laughter.

'Hahaha, no, if only it were true. Ladybugs don't grow older than a year.”

“Hey, what a shame.”

'But you can recognize us by our colors and stains. And they are also a warning for birds! '

“Oh, yeah? How then?”

'Don't eat us, because we are poisonous and taste very dirty! '

“Oooh.”

“If you don't believe me, press my shield. But, don't be too loud, please.”

I press gently and I am immediately treated to a yellowish, dirty and smelling substance.
“Damn!” I wash my hands quickly and continue with the next question.
“Is it true that you love aphids?”

'Really. Those are really fat tasty! Oh, wait, I see one walking. Do you mind if I just...”

Two minutes later and ten less aphids, she comes back to me.

'Sorry, 'she still says, 'but when I see an aphid walking, the rest usually follows by itself. And I quickly gnaw away a hundred a day anyway. I call it a delightful addiction.”

“I like a candy sometimes, “I smile.
I'll wait for her mouth to clear and ask further. 'Is it true that you sometimes play breakneck revs? '

“What do you mean?”

“Rumor has it that you can walk upside down, too.”

'Oh, you mean that! Haha, we can do that. Shall I tell you our secret?”

The ladybug shows me the bottom of her feet. They're covered with little brushes. The ends of this are so small that they are quite capable of contacting all kinds of surfaces. This good contact allows them to linger.

She shows me her little trick, and I'll take a quick picture.
interview

“Gee, I'm getting hungry again,”I hear her say.

“Can I ask another question?”

'Well, then., 'she says kindly.

“Do you guys ever go on vacation?”

“Well, we do long wanderings sometimes. In doing so, let's get carried away on the wind. In this way, we search for new food sources or move to wintering areas. Sometimes there are even huge swarms of millions of ladybugs!”

'Wow! ' I call. “I'd like to see that.”

'Then I'd learn to fly first., 'she says.

“I'll think about it...”

“Can I go now?”

“One more thing. You and a few other dear kinsmen have spent the winter in my house. And you were welcome, of course. But are there other shelters, and how do you endure the cold?”

'Well, the seven-dotted ladybug for example sometimes withstands the winter under tree bark. Their body adapts to the cold with the help of “antifreeze” such as grape sugar, glycerin or special proteins that protect against frost.

“Great! May I thank you very much for the interview?”

“Gladly done. I'm sure I'll see you passing by with your camera this spring. You seem inseparable sometimes. Day, all of you!”
interview

#interview #lieveheersbeestje #natuur #kevers

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