Not every sun is divine: but cows bite! Ladybugs bite Does a ladybug bite?

Warm autumn is a paradise for insects: for example, ticks are still swarming in the grass with might and main, “looking out” for a last drink of blood from animals or people, hardworking ants and ladybugs, which we used to call suns, are also active. However, these cute red with black dots, which, according to popular belief, bring good luck, are not as innocent as we used to think. For example, for the winter they can, as is happening now in Kyiv.

There are about 5200 species in the family of suns: they vary in appearance, and in place of residence, and in what they like to eat, and most of them are predators. There are several types of ladybugs in Ukraine. The usual for us seven-spot cow will spend the winter in the forest floor and on the trees, and if you find a settlement of suns of a slightly unusual color in your house, you should know that this is most likely an Asian harlequin, which, according to the candidate of biological sciences Zoya Berest, appeared in Ukraine a few years ago. It is better to send such a guest out the door.

The Asian sun (harlequin) is an unwanted guest in the house: it can bite painfully, and its bite causes allergies in some people. Although the Asian sun actively destroys aphids, for which it was brought to Europe and other continents, it eats the larvae and eggs of other ladybugs, which is why it was classified as one of the 100 most dangerous insect species. However, its harm does not end there. It turned out that it loves to eat fruit! says the specialist.

The harlequin also lives in natural parks, but most often it can be found in cities and small towns. According to Zoya Berest, the color of the Asiatic conqueror is very variable: from red without black spots, red with a lot of black spots, to black with red spots. A characteristic feature of this species is a transverse fold at the top of the elytra; seven-spotted ones do not have such. Now the spread of harlequins can no longer be stopped, biologists say, although they were originally imported to Europe from East Asia and Siberia in order to fight pests, but soon they themselves became such.

Know in person

Seven-spot ladybug

Appearance: The body color is black underneath, and the elytra can be yellow, rufous, or bright red, each with three black spots and one more common black spot at the scutellum.

Features: it is not dangerous for humans, but these insects are poisonous to most predators: in case of danger, they secrete a yellow secret on the folds of the limbs, which contains a toxic substance.

Harlequin

Appearance: The body is more domed than European ladybugs, always with reddish-brown legs and brown underbelly. The color is varied: red or orange with or without spots, black with 2 or 4 red spots.

Features: can sting a person. When aphids are depleted, harlequins switch to grapes and apples. Scientists believe that the powerful chemicals in the sun can affect the taste of wine if they accidentally enter the processing along with the grapes.

By the way

Cows are not only red, black or yellow. In Australia and New Zealand, a species of ladybugs lives, which stands out in a bright blue-green color with a mother-of-pearl tint. The species Halmus chalybeus is also a predator.

How many will take with the participation of a ladybug do you know? Probably a little. If this red baby with black dots on her back sits on a person, most people will limit themselves to a cheerful children's song with a proposal to fly for bread, or simply shake the insect to the ground. But there are plenty of signs about these cute creatures!

Depending on the color

The usual red insects with neat black spots on the back are far from the only species that lives on our territory. In summer, you can easily meet a yellow ladybug. Occasionally encounter black. And with great luck, spot a brownish bug with white spots on the shell! What will it mean?

Black with red spots

In fact, almost no signs based on the colors of the ladybug have come down to us. But dark, gloomy shades have long been considered dangerous, so people prone to superstition are afraid of such an insect. Completely in vain! If you find this "severe" cutie on yourself, know that you were visited by Harlequin - a special subspecies of ladybug. True, it differs not only in unusual colors, but also in a vile disposition: it bites painfully, spoils the harvest of berries and, in addition to harmful aphids, is not averse to having a bite to eat with its smaller “relatives” of red color. Therefore, a meeting with a “goth” ladybug can be regarded as a warning to be more careful. Do not make hasty decisions so that you do not have to deal with the consequences. Do not get involved in quarrels - say too much. And most importantly, don't panic. Even a black cow is still "God's". She didn't do anything bad for you.

yellow

Yellow is sometimes associated with separation, deceit and evil gossip. But this does not concern the heavenly messenger in any way. Yellow ladybugs bring happiness. At least good times! And if you remember that signs often associate the yellow color of animals and insects with money, then the meeting portends the most favorable changes.

The familiar red bug is just one of hundreds of species of ladybugs.

With white spots

A rare species of beetle with white spots on a red-brown shell in mystical terms is no different from its red counterparts. All signs relating to ordinary ladybugs can be safely attributed to him.

Keep in mind: signs are sure that miniature "cows" perfectly understand the intonation addressed to them. Therefore, be kinder to the bug that visited you, so that he leaves you his good news. And bad ones ... Ladybugs don't wear bad ones.

If you flew into the house

A little wanderer in an apartment is always good.

• If spouses live in the house who have long dreamed of a child, their dream will soon come true.
• If there are enough children in the house, but discord reigns between family members, the visit of a small bug should correct the matter. It is especially good to find a ladybug on the bed: all quarrels and mutual reproaches between the spouses will stop.
• If an insect flew into a girl's room, after a while she should get married or start a new romantic relationship.
• Often the sign changes depending on the time of year. For example, in spring and summer, a ladybug in an apartment promises monetary gain, and in autumn, replenishment of the family.
• If by some miracle you find a bright red bug in your house in the dead of winter, the belief promises grandiose and, no doubt, happy changes in life. Of course, it may also be that the ladybug hibernated somewhere in a dark corner of your apartment, and warmed up in winter and woke up ahead of time. But is this a reason to despair? If you feel the need to change something, take action, and luck will find you. Just do not try to throw the messenger of happiness into the cold!

Ladybugs with seven dots on their backs are considered the best messengers. But also three points, in which case, your expectations will not be disappointed.

Sat on a person

Far from every meeting with a ladybug is satisfied with higher powers. Agree, if a small bug lands on you in the middle of a meadow or while relaxing in the village, it makes no sense to guess what it would be for. It would be much more surprising if not a single insect had ever swooped down on you! But when a ladybug appears out of nowhere in the middle of an urban jungle, or you encounter stubborn bugs in the most unexpected places over and over again, you can try to analyze their behavior in terms of superstitions. Let's try...

On the head

An insect sitting on the top of the head is a very happy sign. They send you great luck! Career will go forward by leaps and bounds, authority will grow, and if there is some kind of unpleasant situation, after a short time it will be resolved for the better. But it is very important that you, frightened, do not brush the ladybug to the ground, or the lucky load that she was carrying will not reach you.

On the shoulder

A red bug with black dots on the shoulder is a neutral omen. Nothing significant will happen to you, but your well-being and mood will rise. Yes, and pleasant events in life will increase. By the way, it is believed that the tattoo of a cute insect on this particular part of the body endows a person with wisdom. Wasn't the cow visiting you to help you make some decision?

On hand

Make a wish instead!

• A ladybug on your hand is a great reason to tell fortunes for the future. Ask the insect any question and gently blow under the wings. If the bug rises up, the wish will come true. He will continue to wander thoughtfully along the hand - he will have to wait a little with the execution of his plans.
• For a girl, a ladybug in the palm of her hand can serve as a good navigator. The algorithm of actions is the same, but instead of pestering your random passenger with extraneous questions, ask her to show the way to the betrothed's home. And watch in which direction the insect will fly.
• If the ladybug's prognosis turned out to be unfavorable, do not be discouraged. It is believed that these babies are reluctant to fly when they anticipate rain. Perhaps neither the betrothed nor the cherished desire has anything to do with it - your guest simply refuses to fly away with a warm hand in bad weather.

On foot

Ladybug crawling up your leg? Superstitions are silent on this matter. But since this insect portends only good things, then you don’t have to worry here either, your happiness will definitely find you. Especially if you don't forget to count to 22. Some believe that if the bug takes off before the last digit sounds, the good omen won't work, after that it will definitely come true.

If the insect has landed on any part of the body covered with clothing, expect a gift or material gain.

bitten

You thought the cute bug of your childhood couldn't bite anyone? How else can it, because the ladybug is a seasoned predator, leading a continuous hunt for aphids. She has jaws, and quite powerful. Another thing is that for a person, the bite of this insect is no more painful than a mosquito bite, and crumbs show aggression extremely rarely. The only exceptions are some types of Harlequin, which are not found in our country. But what does the bite of such a peaceful creature mean in terms of superstition?

• A ladybug that “attacked” a person warns of an enemy. Someone slanders you behind your back or openly tries to slander you.
• The insect did not like your smell and reacted to it in such an unusual way.

see in the cemetery

In ladybugs, as well as in butterflies, they saw the embodiment of the souls of the dead. Therefore, even in the darkest and saddest places, they were not credited with the ability to bring bad news. Tradition advises to consider a ladybug met in a cemetery as greetings from the “other side” from someone who cares about you and wishes you well.

If there are many

The more ‘heavenly messengers’, the better

• The appearance of many bright red bugs in the green grass prophesies a large and friendly family to the lucky person who sees them. There is an additional reason to look to the future with hope.
• For farmers in the old days, the dominance of ladybugs in the meadows was a happy omen. Every owner knew that this year the rye would be thick and tall.

Do not try to look for a mysterious background in every microscopic event in your life. A ladybug is only considered a sign when its appearance or behavior is already very unusual. And even here, the reason may turn out to be the most prosaic - disturbed ecology, climate change, chemicals sprayed somewhere nearby ... But if you still decide that an insect with a bright shell came to you for a reason, be sure to let it go in peace. And he, and you after that, everything will turn out fine.

Have you ever noticed why most insects hide in the ground, under leaves, grass and stones, while a ladybug can calmly bask in the sun? The answer lies in its bright and colorful color, thanks to which nature itself explained to all surrounding predators that it is better not to mess with it. However, man is a rather strange animal, how many times have you launched a ladybug into the sky? We are attracted by the beauty of this beetle, even though many people know that it is poisonous.

Why is a ladybug dangerous?

In case of danger, ladybugs have an effective defense - a poisonous, pungent yellow liquid that ladybugs secrete from the joints of their paws.

With the help of the secreted liquid, ladybugs scare away their main enemies - spiders, frogs and some insects that feed on ladybugs. Birds and other animals do not hunt ladybugs at all, bypassing them.

What is this yellow stuff

Ladybugs fly well, making up to 85 flaps per second with their wings.

The sense of danger causes ladybugs to secrete droplets of colored hemolymph from the joints, which has a nasty taste for humans. The bitter taste of ladybird hemolymph comes from the alkaloids adalen and coccinellin.

The hemolymph of ladybugs is poisonous

Simply put, hemolymph is the "blood" of beetles, and in a ladybug it is very poisonous. The poisonous basis of the hemolymph of ladybugs is the poison cantharidin, which, when it comes into contact with the skin, affects the mouths of the follicles with the formation of large blisters.

And the ingress of cantharidin into the digestive tract leads to rapidly developing intoxication, which leads to severe poisoning of a person.

So why don't you eat ladybugs now?!

It is worth noting that the body of the ladybug seven-spot cantharidin contains very little. Maximum, for mild nausea. Accidentally eating a ladybug is also safe for children.

Therefore, if you are not an aphid, then you can not be afraid of ladybugs, and even those that are inside you.

First of all, you need to know that there are varieties among ladybugs. Almost all ladybugs do not bite, but they can pinch, but just a couple of species of ladybugs can bite quite painfully. Consider what these species are and under what conditions even an ordinary red ladybug can bite a person.

Most ladybugs do not bite, but they can pinch with their jaws to protect themselves. caterpillars, aphids, slugs, snails, spider mites and the larvae of various insect pests, so they can be called predators. When the cold comes, they prepare for hibernation, stock up on nutrients and remove water from the body. It is during this period - at the end of autumn, they are capable of aggression, like any living creature on the planet, feeling the danger of destruction when she is angry (especially during the period of preparation for hibernation) - a cow can pinch a person, but the bite is not dangerous.

Some ladybugs, such as the 28-spotted and Harlequin, are capable of more powerful attacks on humans. If ordinary ladybugs do not harm a person, but rather even benefit by eating pests and cleaning plants from unnecessary accumulations of insects that can destroy them, then these two species, on the contrary, eat plants in vegetable gardens, in the forest and bring harm. Ladybug with 28 spots is found in the Northern part, and Harlequin in Asia. For example, Harlequin loves shady areas and where there is a lot of greenery, forests, parks, cottages. And a ladybug with 28 spots prefers bright areas: vegetable gardens, summer cottages, farms, private houses. Where vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries are grown.

They eat the leaves of potatoes, cabbage, radishes, carrots, beets, etc., which sometimes causes severe damage to the crop. Northerners know that such a ladybug can bite quite hard, like a midge or even a mosquito. But, unlike these flying insects, ladybugs do not feed on blood!

How dangerous is a ladybug bite for a person?

So, we figured out which ladybugs can bite painfully - 28 spots and Harlequin. Among the other ladybugs, no cases of bites were recorded. Only an imperceptible and even almost imperceptible pinch of the skin is possible, which a person will not even notice.
What to do to avoid the bite of a ladybug - you should not take unfamiliar insects in your hands, but it is better not to touch the insects at all.

What is the difference between a 28-spotted ladybug and an ordinary harmless one - in spots, they are small and there are a lot of them. The harlequin is a large ladybug with a burning black head with bright white spots, and a bright orange or pale yellow coloration is visible on its wings. The main difference is white spots on the head and uneven black large ones on the wings.

Ladybug Harlequin - how dangerous is her bite?

Such individuals are "predators", of course they do not feed on blood, but they are able to multiply quickly and a lot, settle in convenient places closer to humans and bring a lot of unpleasant troubles. When bitten, it may appear:

• redness on the skin;
• swelling;
• edema;
• allergic reaction.

Therefore, you should not pick up a ladybug of this species. You can fight them with special sprayers, adhesive tape from flies and insects, dichlorvos or the usual "Masha". Be sure to process the floors, walls and corners of the rooms in which these pest cows met, since closer to winter they will seek shelter and can massively settle in your barn or private house, and then it will be quite difficult to get them out. Do you need such pests on the site?

In no case should these cows be confused with the usual harmless ladybugs, which, on the contrary, protect the garden from aphids and other insects.

How to treat the bite site?

The bite site should be treated with an antiseptic, a special cream for insect bites, or wiped with a decoction of herbs, such as chamomile or plantain. In the event of an allergic reaction, be sure to take an antihistamine so that there are no complications in the form of mucosal edema.

How a man nearly died from a ladybug bite

Reza Rezamand, 31, said he developed sepsis after a ladybug bit him on the leg. The leg was greatly swollen, and the toes were blackened. The doctors said that with a 70% chance he would not survive. But he was cured with antibiotics after numerous tests.

"I was very lucky. I will never touch ladybugs again,” he said.
“I have never been afraid of anything in my life. I can bench press 180 kg, but I was almost killed by such a small thing as a ladybug.

Such cases practically do not occur, moreover, it is not known whether the bite of a small insect acted in this way, or the reason was completely different.

Ladybug is the object of children's fairy tales, songs and counting rhymes, it is a symbol of good luck in the understanding of many people. These are useful creatures that feed on plant pests and usually live outdoors. And while most ladybugs are environmentally friendly, one species that goes by the name Harmonia axyridis, or the Asian ladybug, has recently been found to be an exception.

The difference between good and bad ladybugs

At first glance, it can be difficult to distinguish between different types of ladybugs, and the Asian ladybug has all the signs almost the same as the rest - even their colors can change from orange to bright red, that is, such a ladybug looks like practically indistinguishable. But a closer look will allow you to spot differences, such as a white mark behind the head. Some of the individuals of this species have dark spots on the wings, others are lighter, and there are even those that have no spots at all. This species of ladybug was deliberately introduced to the United States of America from Asia in the last century as a way to exterminate agricultural pests such as aphids and scale insects. These ladybugs were released in several states but have since migrated extensively so that they can now be found throughout the US. However, in addition to purposeful importation, they entered the United States by accident on board ships, which, most likely, was the reason for such a wide and successful migration.

Harmful ladybugs

However, since these ladybugs were released in the United States, scientists have discovered a fairly large number of different not so pleasant aspects. For example, for the winter they can climb into the smallest cracks in wooden and even concrete houses to wait out the cold there. And when the temperature drops very much, they can even climb inside the house, as they are attracted to heat. And once inside, they will constantly crawl along the ceiling, walls and floor. And although even the presence of these bugs in the house is unpleasant in itself, if they are disturbed, they can give off an unpleasant smell, as well as spewing a yellowish liquid that can stain your surfaces. Some people may experience allergic reactions to these bugs, especially if there are a lot of them. Among the most common reactions are eye problems, hay fever, cough, asthma and hives. The process can be started both by contact with beetles, and simply by being in the same room with them. Asian ladybugs can be aggressive and even bite if they get on the skin. This can be either self-defense or a natural tendency to bite in search of food. And although these insects do help to get rid of pests in the garden or vegetable garden, they can be a real problem in the vineyard, as they are often harvested along with grapes, which ultimately results in an unpleasant smell and taste of wine due to the protective reactions of this ladybug.

Protection

The best way to protect against ladybugs is basic precautions, which include plugging all holes in walls, around windows, etc., doors and vents. Make sure all your windows and doors are tightly closed.

Ladybugs in the house

If ladybugs have already climbed into your home, you can catch them with a vacuum cleaner or special adhesive tape. To avoid odor and stains, you should not try to swat or crush these insects. There are also special pesticides that will allow you to get rid of these ladybugs if other methods fail and their number is only growing.