wierd bug problem

Seeing Dave's morning glory vine reminded me of something. For the last two years, I've had a lot of Ipomeas growing on a trellis on the west side of my house. Lady bugs have been plentiful here in middle Tennessee for several years. One color(out of many combinations of colors and spots) is solid, no spots and pure metallic, like 14K gold. Of course this caught my attention, but if you catch one they change colors in a few minutes to a dull orange, still no spots. Has anyone else seen these bugs? And how can I get them to keep their real color? (no I do not garden at Central State Hosp)

Don't worry, Ive seen them too. I heard that a lot of lady bugs that we now see are of a asian variety, different from our usual lady bug. I'm sure if you take a bunch down to your local auto body repair shop, they can paint them any color you want. Take a few and ask for an estimate...."I'm Earl Shibe, and I can paint that bug for $.9995!" LOL!!!!

Just and afterthought....maybe you should make that visit to a auto body shop that's located FAR from your hometown!LOL!!!

There are many varieties of ladybugs, IIRC around 400.

But there is also a blue metalic bug, called a grapevine beetle.

Byron

Congrats Ivey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You might have struck it rich! I used to have a small gold mine right by Lyles (not going to tell you where).

As you probably know pure gold is a VERY soft metal that's why it is mixed with other metals for jewelry. There are many documented cases of insects and animals burrowing into veins of gold. The gold rubs off on the insect or animal and that is what gives them as you say the "pure metallic, like 14K gold" look. Now all you need to do is find out where the lady bugs are coming from! You should start looking other insects and wild animals for that same "14K gold look". That might help you find the vein and/or determine it's size. Maybe you could get some friends or neigbors to assistant you in finding their "houses" or "dens". I would recommend that you read "Insectus Gold, A History of gold mines discovered by insects" by Jack Lee Masters. First I think I would read "Shebe phooln usins" by Mebe Kid Din.

If you need anymore help let me know. I don't mind at all. I have already enjoyed helping you more than you know!
Sari

I hope this helps you!!!!

Well I'm glad ya'll can have a good laugh, even if it is at my expense. My question still remains unanswered: Has anybody, at any time, anywhere, seen any metallic lady bugs?

Pictures of various colors of lady bugs:
http://www.ent.iastate.edu/imagegallery/lady/
Asian ladybugs:
http://www.ent.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/ladybeetles.html
Somewhat gold looking ladybug:
http://kountrykravings.com/ladybug.htm
interesting article about asain ladybugs:
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mladybug.html
Biting ladybugs:
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/champaign/homeowners/001028.html
According to what I have found "gold" is a possible color of ladybugs.
Sari

Sari: Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now I would ask you what makes them change color, but I'm afraid you'd be up all night!.LOL.....Thanks again

From what I understood it is just a color phase...

I saw an insect that look just like someone had dropped pure gold on a leaf but it was somewhat smaller than a lady bug.

Here's some pictures of different species and types of Metallic colored Ladybugs :)

* Blue Moth Ladybug

- http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QxQQj4ccOqs/Sz2XNO5D8iI/AAAAAAAAAl0/iaI8xixEDM8/s1600-h/Thalassa+montezumae.jpg
- http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QxQQj4ccOqs/Sz2XJFVZdQI/AAAAAAAAAls/F-LKtsYobnE/s1600-h/Curinus+coeruleus+Blue+Ladybug.jpg

* A Green/Yellow Blue Colored Ladybug

- http://www.dtpmike.nl/gallery1/index.php#3

* And of course a Metallic Gold Ladybug as descibed at the beginning of this thread :)

It is also known as a Golden Tortoise Beetle
(Charidotella sexpunctata) Family: Chrysomelidae
(syn: Charidotella bicolor; formerly: Metriona bicolor)


- http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeysplanting/136816761/

Hope this helps :)