Yesterday we found these furry bugs sharing the milkweed with a couple of monarch caterpillars. I thought it was a moth larva and was confused since I thought only monarch and queen caterpillars ate milkweed. But it was on the potted milkweed, which is next to a hibiscus bush and I eventually noticed there were many more of these furry guys on that bush.
I emailed a picture to the UF Extension office and they said it is a baby ladybug! A particular sort of ladybug called the "Mealybug Destroyer"! I think that is a marketing term - you can buy them online and stratigically place them on infected plants for some organic pest control. They also eat aphids.
Actually these do not become the typical red ladybug with black spots, but a darker "lady beetle" that is ladybug shaped and sized. And they are welcome in my yard!
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And if you would like to know about our Day Trip to Italy, check out Leah's Kitchen!
