Ladybug Sisters

Big sister larva and little sister larva on the underside of a geum (avens) leaf.

Ladybug Outbreak

Most folks are seeing more ladybug larvae, and ladybugs, than usual. It's likely connected to a plentiful food source: aphids. Because we had an abnormally dry spring, aphids were a problem much earlier than usual. Aphids are a ladybug favorite. This collage above shows ladybug larvae in various stages of morphing into beetles.