Our Ladybug Experience included observations of ladybugs from the very small larvae, the pupa, and the fully grown ladybug. The class was familiar with raising Monarch butterflies and wanted to try a similar project with ladybugs.

We immediately learned that ladybug larvae cannot be shipped through the mail when the temperature is above 90 degrees F. Although school began in early August, we did not receive our larvae until the middle of September because of our very hot summer.

 Once the larvae arrived, we observed the ladybugs shedding their skin as they grew. We were able observe their lifecycle. We saw the newly emerged ladybug with no spots and saw the spots appear as the elytra dried and hardened.

 Because there are so many myths and stories about ladybugs, we read both fiction and nonfiction books. To help understand fact/opinion and fiction/nonfiction, the students each made a scientific drawing or model of a ladybug labeling the parts correctly. The students also drew a separate artistic rendering that included a ladybug.