Ladybugs get test against the pests

LAKEWOOD PARK — Dozens of black-and-red flying bugs crawled up Janet Audette's arm, but the 15-year-old didn't scream: She'd volunteered for the work. Audette, a Fort Pierce Westwood High School science whiz, is working with University of Florida scientists to encourage homeowners to use natural predators — like ladybugs — to attack unwanted bugs in their backyards.

She's handed out about 1,500 ladybug beetles to neighbors as part of a program that grew from last month's Brain Bowl at the Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce.

Ladybugs — as organic gardeners know — voraciously attack aphids, tiny insects that destroy rose bushes, gardenias, citrus and many ornamental plants.

Natural predators, known as biological controls, can protect landscaping without the negative health and environmental effects of pesticides, said Robin Koestoyo, a university spokeswoman.

"A lot of residents think pesticides are the only way," she said. "We're offering ladybugs as an alternative."

Audette said she became involved in the program after Koestoyo noticed she had no hesitation when science students were asked to touch a bug — called a weevil — that attacks bromeliads throughout Florida.

"I jumped right on it," she said. "Science is really interesting."

In addition to finding neighbors interested in participating in the program, Audette also was interviewed on Port St. Lucie's cable TV channel and is responsible for surveying participating homeowners to determine how well the ladybugs work.

Audette's mother, Hillary, said they've worked well enough on her own roses that she's willing to overlook the ladybugs stored in the refrigerator and the bugs loose in the house.

"It doesn't bother me. I grew up with honeybees," said Hillary Audette, whose father was a beekeeper. "Within two days, all the aphids were gone."

Joe Downing, manager of Busy Bee Lawn & Garden Center in Vero Beach, said ladybugs are a popular sale item this time of year, when aphids are at their worst.

"It's boggling for some people who come down from the north, where ladybugs are a nuisance," he said. "But they feed on insects for people who don't like to spray insecticide. They don't get in abundance here."

Other insects that can replace chemicals include psyllids and a species of weevils, both of which can control the invasive, exotic Melaleuca tree and are for sale locally.

Janet Audette said she hopes to participate in similar projects, even though she is still unsure what she'll major in after she graduates from high school.

"They were talking about doing a control project with snakes," she said. "That's where I draw the line."

- suzanne.wentley@scripps.com

Want to buy a bug?

ONLINE: A-1 Unique Insect Control at www.a-lunique.com or Gardens Alive at www.gardensalive.com

WHERE TO BUY LADYBUGS LOCALLY:

• Busy Bee Lawn & Garden Center, 7445 N. U.S. 1, in Vero Beach

• Rock City Nursery, at 9080 U.S. 1 in Wabasso both sell ladybugs.

OTHER BUGS: Ken Gioeli, the natural resource agent for the St. Lucie County Extension office sells bugs that attack exotic plants. Call (772) 468-3922.

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