Methods of Finding and Photographing Lady Beetles

With the Vermont Lady Beetle BioBlitz rapidly approaching this weekend (follow this link to join the BioBlitz!), I have compiled some tips and tricks that I have found helpful for finding and taking identifiable photographs of these speedy beetles.

When should I look for lady beetles?
Lady beetles are similar to many people I know - they are the most active on nice days. If the temperature is 60 degrees F or above with sunny to overcast skies, the beetles will likely be out. If it is cold or rainy, you will have a much lower chance of finding them.

Where should I look for lady beetles?
Lady beetles use all vegetation types, from trees, to shrubs, to herbaceous plants. It is helpful to look for trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that are visibly loaded with scale insects, aphids, mealy bugs, or other small insects (aka a lady beetle buffet) or show symptoms of high pest loads. For species-specific habitat preferences, check out the species profiles for the lady beetles that have been recorded in Vermont (link here)!

How should I look for lady beetles?
There are a number of different methods that you can use:

1. Visual Search: When using this method, you simply scan vegetation with your eyes, collecting and photographing lady beetles as you go.
2. Sweep netting: This method requires an insect net. You can either buy one (such as this one) or make your own. When sweep netting, you want to sweep the net across vegetation (herbaceous; tree and shrub branches), knocking beetles into the net. (See a video demonstration here). After you walk and sweep for a while, stop, close the net, then scoop insects into clear containers to photograph them.
3. Beat sheeting: Place a sheet under a bush or other vegetation. Shake or gently hit the vegetation overhanging the sheet, knocking insects onto the sheet. Scoop them into containers to photograph.

How do I photograph the beetles well?

1. Having a macro lens for a camera or phone is helpful, but not required.
2. Shading the beetle from the sun to avoid glare can improve the picture.
3. It is important to photograph the beetle from multiple angles (get the head, middle section, wing covers, underside) and take more photos than you think you need, increasing your chances of getting a few good photos.
4. Either measure the beetle, or have a size reference in the photos, especially if it is one of the small, overall black beetles.
5. It can be helpful to bring a cooler and chill the beetles for 5 to 10 minutes - this does not hurt them, it just slows them down!

If you have any questions, leave us a comment or email me at jpupko@vtecostudies.org!

Posted on June 3, 2021 01:04 PM by jpupko