Wierd Orchid Friend? Or Foe?

[Tindomul1of9]

So I have heard of the legendary pest killing powers of the Lady Bug. And for many years I have tried to get one to live in my vivariums.
The other night I found one in my apartment, and thinking about my recent troubles with mites, I decided to put the lady bug on my phal. Tonight, I look at my phal, and who do you think I find still walking on my phal? Little Miss Lady Bug.
This is the longest I have ever been able to get one to stay in one place for me.
So this means either
A)The lady bug is making dinner out of my Phal, yet I see no damage
or
B)She has found food(mites!!!! ) and is devastating their numbers as we speak .
Yet again, I see no damage from mites either.

Whats up???

[ABro]

I have released lady bugs into my GH before to help control pests, and have never seen any damage to my plants because of them. There are some places around here that sell bags of lady bugs to help control mites, and such. I wouldn't worry about the lady bug doing any harm to your plant.

[desertgal]

I want one of those. I never see them in the desert!

[Piper]

Someone recently told me the big orange lady bugs are harmful to plants, and the small red ones are harmless. I'd love to corroborate that.

McJulie

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I don't know, Tindo..... She looks hungry to me!

heheheheheh....

I like lady bugs. Hey McJulie, I think there may be a thread about that topic on here somewhere. I remember hearing or reading about that too.

Cheers!
BD

[Molly Taco]

Lady bugs are meat eaters as far as I know, even their larva,which is a little scary looking, only eats bugs. For a little trivia... They were used in vinyards during the Middle Ages to protect the grape vines and in appreciation were dedicated to "Our Lady" which is where thier name originated.
Cin

[Piper]

Just checked my field guide. Apparently there are two species of ladybugs that are serious garden pests. Here's more info:

http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/veg/be...ean_beetle.htm
http://www.gaipm.org/top50/mexican.html
http://entweb.clemson.edu/cuentres/c.../veg/ce104.htm

McJulie

[Tindomul1of9]

OMG! Julie! I think I have that first one!!! What do you guys think? I need some expert advice. Don't want to kill or get rid of a friend on the suspicion that it might be a foe.

[Piper]

Naw...my field guide said those two species are more yellow, and have lots of spots on their back. Like 15-20 spots. Yours looks friendly.

McJulie

[Mahon]

I don't think it will cause problems for you Tin... but if it does, you can always give it the Mr. Foot treatment... =)

-Pat