Ladybug Ball delights the young

Southdown Plantation in Houma will be crawling with critters Saturday, April 2.

The South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center intends to set free 100,001 ladybugs and 201 butterflies at this year’s 12th annual Ladybug Ball. The event is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Designed with youngsters in mind, the celebration includes a number of hands-on, fun and education events.

“We’ll have everything you can imagine dealing with ladybugs,” said Dr. Joy Tingle, SLWDC member and event co-chair.

This year’s affair features Native American dancers, magician David LeBoeuf, the Bug Mobile, the Audubon Zoo Mobile, a ladybug attire contest, hula-hoop contest, general store and more.

The brainstorm of Linda Faulk Osburn, the Ladybug Ball continues to be sponsored by Houma’s RE/MAX Good Earth Realty. She’s working with Ganier’s and Terminix to get the ladybugs and butterflies for release.

“We’re thankful that she offered us the opportunity to take over running the festival,” Tingle said. “It is a natural fit with the Discovery Center’s mission: to develop in youngsters a deep appreciation for the value of the wetlands as well as the ecology of the Gulf Coast area.”

The day’s activities are intended to teach in a fun way. In addition to environmental and insect information, Tingle said the 34 booths include stops for ladybug nail and face painting, antique cars, a ladybug cookie decorating booth, fishing, fire trucks, fingerprinting, police and sheriff’s units and games galore. Also, watch for the costumed Estuarians walking about.

“Some activities cost $1, while others are free,” she said. And gumbo, hamburgers and hot dogs are also available. Proceeds go toward the SLWDC.

“Even though we don’t yet have a building, there are a number of things we do in the schools and the community,” Tingle said. Among the activities are summer camps and Mandalay trail events in the fall.

“This is designed to be our chief fundraiser, but there are a number of activities that are free,” she said. “We encourage everyone to come out, catch some ladybugs for their garden and have a good time.”

Shuttle buses run from the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center to Southdown Plantation. The service is free.

For more information, call (985) 580-7289 or visit www.slwdc.org.

True or False: All ladybugs are female?

• Ladybugs are a type of beetle. Their short legs separate them from other beetles.

• Ladybugs hibernate in cold weather. They become active when the temperature reaches about 59 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Ladybugs use their front legs to clean their head and antennae.

• There are 350 to 500 species of ladybugs in the United States.

• A ladybug’s top flying speed is about 15 mph.

• A ladybug’s eggs are not visible to the naked eye.

• Ladybugs eat 50 to 60 aphids [small bugs that suck tree sap, such as a blackfly or green fly daily], hunting for food from dusk until dawn. They’ll also eat mealy bugs, leaf hoppers, mites and other soft-bodied insects.

• When it’s mad, a ladybug expels a yellowish liquid. The liquid has a bad smell to its predators.

• As for our question above, not all ladybugs are female.