The Ladybug Bite

Learned something new today. Just now in fact. Ladybugs bite. I didn't think it was possible, but I have a crying 3-year-old as proof.

Here's what happened. Lance was out in the backyard mowing. Brett was in the front yard playing. I was up in the office "working" (scrapbooking ok?) and could hear Brett playing and talking out the window. All of a sudden I heard crying and screaming. I immediately ran downstairs and found Brett hysterically crying. I asked him what was wrong and he said the ladybug bit him (the ladybug was still sitting on his arm). Not believing him, I took the ladybug off him and asked where it hurt and he pointed to the exact spot where the ladybug had been. It was kinda red but I still really didn't believe him.

So we went to the backyard where daddy was and told him what happened. By this time, you could see two little welts on his arm, which clearly looked like a little bite. Lance still didn't believe it was a bite, but it was clearly something. I took Brett inside to put some medicine on it (that made it better - medicine and a band-aid). Then I came up to the office to research ladybug bites.

Apparently, the bug that bit Brett is actually an Asian ladybug (the yellow ones) and it's not really a ladybug but a beetle (I did know that from teaching insects in 2nd grade!). And these Asian ladybugs can pinch you which feel like a little sting - I'm sure a big sting to a 3-year-old! So, although these little bugs are cute and pretty - beware they do bite!