Convergent ladybugs (beetles) are altitudinal migrants. They spent spring in the valley, summer in the foothills, and winter at higher elevation. When temperatures reach 65oF (18oC), the mountain ladybugs emerge from hibernation, mate, and fly downslope to the Central Valley floor to lay eggs. The new generation hatches and eat aphids. In June, more new generations of ladybugs might hang out longer in the valley if the aphids are abundant. But when the aphid supply decreases, the ladybugs get hungry and go up to the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Colder temperatures in late fall signal the ladybugs to move further upslope from the foothills into the higher mountains. They gorge on pollen and nectar to store fat in their bodies. During winter they form large clusters and hibernate in protected canyons. The clusters help the ladybugs store heat and also maybe reduce predation.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns spinning around us.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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Here’s a video of ladybug clusters near me right now. Not my video not my narration (you might want to mute it and just enjoy visuals).
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I’ve got ladybugs, what’s happening near you?