Just like our Caterpillars, our ladybug larvae sat in the mailbox for a few days while C and I weren't home. Proof that even in sweltering heat and darkness they can survive.
I must apologize before you look at all of the photos. Ladybugs are small. That makes them difficult to photograph.
Packaging
Larvae inside tube.
Paper strips somehow held their food.
Paper strips somehow held their food.
Larvae inside their new home, ladybug land
7/24 Day 1 Unpacked
7/28 Day 5: Started curling up towards top
8/3 Day 11: At least three ladybugs emerged. The remaining ladybugs emerged within a day or two.
All along, to keep the ladybugs alive, we added water to a small pad in the center of their home. This created optimal humidity. Food was in the original tube.
As suggested, to care for our ladybugs we placed two soaked and cut raisins (thanks Shannon!) into their home.
Can you see the two I'm pointing to?
Can you find 'em?
8/14 Day 22: Released into our garden. C loved watching them scurry around and unfortunately buried one in the dirt. He thought they lived in the ground like worms. I guess our books (or I!) didn't adequately cover their habitat. However, it's a great opportunity to clarify that point! Additionally, he was excited to see that some of them flew after exploring for a bit.Overall, I thought this was fun, but truly not as interesting as the Caterpillars. The changes in the larvae was much harder to see (not just because they're smaller), and in reality, the ladybugs didn't move much in Ladybug Land. If you only get one, I'd invest in the Caterpillars.
Bugs Are Insects (geared towards ages older than C, but a very good one for school-aged children)
A Ladybug's Life
Ladybugs, Red Fiery and Bright (our #1 pick and the one we own)
Are You A Ladybug?
Also, Ten Little Ladybugs (for the younger set)
Other books I saw on amazon that might be worth a look, but haven't viewed for myself (you can click on them to view):
No comments:
Post a Comment