A Midsummer Night's Dream

The other night I released hundreds of ladybugs at the base of our rose bushes. For those of you that might not know, ladybugs are an excellent form of green pest control, feasting on aphids and scale insects, not to mention the luck they supposedly bring to one's household.

What surprised me most, however, is that the next morning I awoke to find this in my garden:

One knock-kneed littlebug waiting patiently for Halloween. Ma petite coccinelle avec le sourire d'un chat de cheshire.

What I did not know about ladybugs is that they are wildly attracted to household pets. They chase them around the yard emitting a high-pitched squeal while trying to stick one little ladybug finger in the cat's behind.

I noticed that this confused the ladybug, the fact that the cat did not like plump ladybug fingers or even felt feelers in its butt.

But the ladybug quickly regained her composure once she remembered she could fly.

And fly she did.

Ladybug! Ladybug! Fly away home! We won't get into the part about the house being on fire and the children being gone. This is a Midsummer Night's Dream, after all, not a nightmare.

And just because it's Tuesday and Tuesday is not known for much aside from the occassional two-for-one deal at Taco Bell, here are some ladybug factoids to get you through the day, courtesy of one Miss Zoey Dimon Lady Beetle, Princess of Wings and Purses, Lip Balm and Lillypops, a girl for whom every day deserves costume.

Ladybug Fact #1. In Europe, during the Middle Ages, insects were destroying the crops, so the Catholic farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary for help. Soon the Ladybugs came, ate the plant-destroying pests and saved the crops. The farmers began calling the ladybugs "The Beetles of Our Lady," and they eventually became known as "Lady Beetles." The red wings represented the Virgin's cloak and the black spots represented her joys and sorrows.

Ladybug Fact #2. In Sweden, folks believe that if a ladybug lands on a young maiden's hand, she will soon be getting married. The number of spots indicate the number of children she will have.

Ladybug Fact #3. If you find a ladybug in your house, count the number of spots and that is how many dollars you will soon receive.

Ladybug Fact #4. In England, finding a ladybug means that you will have a good harvest.

Ladybug Fact #5. In France, if you are sick and a ladybug lands on you, when it flies away, it will take the sickness with it.

Ladybug Fact #6. If a ladybug has more than seven spots, then there will be a famine. If it has less than seven, then there will be a good harvest.

Ladybug Fact #7, also known as Disgusting Ladybug Fact #1. At one time, doctors would mash up ladybugs and put them in a cavity to cure a toothache.

Now go put on some feelers. Or at the very least, a pair of wings.