Several species of ladybugs have been reported vanishing over the years in the United States. The nine spotted ladybug beetle is New York’s state symbol. An unconventional and unique approach to gather information about these beetles has been adopted by the researchers. They have recruited citizen scientists of all ages to identify the presence of these beetles, wherever they are found. It is an effort to raise national awareness about such native species, and to measure the public concern towards the environment, while they have fun. Ladybug beetles are very useful, their presence indicates good health of the ecosystem, and keeps check on several agricultural pests.
Using animals and plants to symbolize states and nations is the best way to inculcate empathy towards creatures. Only if these are on the agenda will there be any future for animals in jeopardy, for which the Bengal tiger is a very good example. Moreover, scientists all over the world have underestimated the concept of native and exotic species. Native species are the ones that belong to a specific region, just like we hail from a certain area or city. Exotic species are foreign species, present in areas other than their origin. They would have been introduced to these areas, or spread naturally beyond a certain region. Exotic species may or may not be harmful to the area they are present in, but they are never useful and will never become a part of the ecosystem in that area. They may remain though, and serve purely aesthetic purposes.
Insects are frowned upon, and more often than not only butterflies are considered beautiful. But diversity within the world of insects is unimaginable; they are probably the only organisms that outnumber humans, and we should definitely respect that.
