In my recent post on how to get rid of aphids, I mentioned that attracting ladybugs to your garden is the best way as they are a natural predator of aphids. It has since come to my attention that ladybug is American English and I should have said ladybird; I am Australian after all. Shame on me! Whatever you call these little insects, they are definitely something you want in your garden.

There is even a vineyard in Margaret River which has the ladybird on its label. The Gherardi vineyard believes the presence of the ladybird in their vineyard shows that they have a healthy vineyard and that they are doing the right thing in not using harsh chemicals on their grapes. I think they’re right. It just goes to show that reducing or being selective with the chemicals you use can be enough to create a balance in the environment so that you can still produce the crops you want but not destroy every living bug at the same time.

Here’s what they have to say about producing their wines and the presence of the ladybird:

In pursuit of the highest quality fruit, vines have been planted at twice the density of the average vineyard (3,333 - 4,000 vines/ha). The vines are hand pruned, crop thinned and hand harvested to maximise quality. All vines are netted to protect the fruit from the ravages of birds.

Peter’s philosophy is to operate the vineyard using the ’softest’ approach when it comes to the use of chemicals. As a result there is an abundance of spiders and ladybirds - all great signs of a healthy vineyard.

Most of us realise the role this insect plays in the environment. Their sight in the environment means that things are close to being in balance. This is because they feed on aphids and other minute harmful plant pests. As such it is considered bad luck to kill them particularly if one has landed on you.

In many cultures it is believed they bring good luck. Also they are regarded to signal fine weather and generally impart a good feeling on whom they fall.

At the Gherardi vineyard they are often sighted in the vines which shows that the regime of using predator friendly sprays is actually working. While the use of harsher chemicals may rid a particular pest, it often wipes out the predators of other pests and as a result one is left with a worsening situation.

Ladybirds and Pest Control

Ladybirds are brightly coloured to ward away potential predators. This defence works because most predators associate bright colours (especially orange and black or yellow and black) with poison and other unpleasant properties. Most ladybirds are indeed poisonous to smaller predators, such as lizards and small birds; however, a human would have to eat several hundred ladybirds before feeling any effects.

Ladybirds are beneficial to organic gardeners as they are insectivores, consuming aphids, fruit flies, thrips, and other plant sucking insects that damage crops.

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