Lady bug

One of the most telling signs that spring has sprung is the appearance of ladybugs. These small creatures hibernate all winter long and only come out when conditions are once again warm and favorable. Once ladybugs receive the sign to end hibernation, they immediately being into action, gathering food and resources and finding mates while the season is ripe. Ladybugs tend to be one of the first of many hibernating insects to emerge in the early spring. The main advantage of this is that they are often able to outcompete other insects for resources simply because they end their hibernating period before others. The main disadvantage to this technique however, is that ladybugs risk coming out of hiding too early, when potential frosts can still occur and devastate the population and their resources. A modern day concern is that with global warming trends. spring weather seems to be occurring earlier and earlier, which can affect the ladybug's circadian rhythms that function to allow it to come out of hibernation in the spring. With warmer days earlier in the season, ladybugs may emerge quicker than they should and be subject to harsher conditions and limited resources. This in turn would lead to increased intraspecific competition between ladybugs for sufficient resources early in the season.

 

For more information visit sites.psu.edu/ecologistsnotebook/2012/02/06/signs-of-spri...

 

This photo was taken on February 24th right outside the Watson Education Building on campus.

Done