18 October 2006: Ladybugs. Lady beetles. Why ladybugs? Because they are swarming this area in Covington VA! The UPS driver told my dad that he thinks he swallowed one today. These bugs are called "good luck bugs" in Germany and while they are beneficial predatory insects that eat aphids, mites, thrips and other small insects, they can be pests themselves when they swarm. I suspect that they are here to feast on all of the bugs in the rotting produce in the local gardens and fruit trees. When their buffet is empty, they will go elsewhere. Read more about ladybugs. Click on the pictures to view more photos of critters in my online gallery hosted by Smugmug.