Question
  Hi I was researching online about various GREEN products when I came across this site where they showcased an article regarding the release of 250,000 ladybugs in honor of Earth Day. I thought that this would be a good project for an elementary class to do. The project would include the children as a class raising ladybugs and then releasing them. I would also reach out to the community and call upon local nurseries and farmers to see if they want the lady bugs to be released for their plants the project would greatly benefit the student because it would teach them the life cycle of the ladybug as well as the benefits of alternative fertilizers and chemicals.  My question is will the release of ladybugs haven an adverse effect on LI local plants and if I were to call local farmers do you think that they would be willing to use the ladybugs or is the idea of releasing a large amount of ladybugs on LI just a bad idea?

Here is the link to the article
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/students-ladybugs-earth-day-oregon.php

Answer
First of all, I think it's a wonderful idea.  I am basically speechless on this - I am just so impressed with your whole approach I could go on forever ... let me just say ... you are the bees knees on this as far as I'm concerned, for a million reasons that you probably already know.  So congratulations on a terrific concept.  I expect other teachers (you are a teacher?) will read this and just take that ball and run with it.  It's awesome.

One thing to consider that you may not be aware of: Ladybugs do bite.  It's painless, but pronounced, and this could easily freak out a child.  Or a grownup who doesn't expect it.  Because we react this way to bites.  So you would have to be really careful not to expose any children to THAT experience because trust me this is the one they will remember.  And you know how parents can be.  Then you get the TV News people on the case, and it turns into your worst nightmare.  So be aware of that potential problem.  They don't attack, mind you -- they just alight on your arm or shoulder, and next thing you know you are feeling a distinct bite.  I don't know why they do this, I was never bitten by a Ladybug when I was growing up, but as an adult with a lot of exposure to these, I can tell you it definitely happens if you have that many Ladybugs in the same place, landing on your arm.  Ladybug repellent?  We can look into that.

Next: I hate to state the obvious, but one whiff of a pesticide and your Ladybugs are history.  Do you have any idea how common pesticides are?  Summer is awful, Spring is not as bad because you don't have people spraying for misquitoes and hornets the way they do in mid-Summer.  But Nursery folk use these without a second thought.  Blemish-free leaves and flowers are their meat and potatotes.  They don't really see any reason to turn to Ladybugs when Malathion works just as well, and it's cheaper -- you know I hope I do not look at it this way, but this is THEIR view.

As for the adverse effect on the local ecology, it's a good question and if scientists had asked that question before releasing Nutria for Weed control (they devoured everything, not just Weeds), among other regrettable decisions.  There is a number of natural predators (i.e., 'beneficial insects') that reliably target Hemlock Wooly Adelgids, the insect pest known for decimating thousands of Hemlock trees in Forests across the country, but the 'side effects' of these beneficials is still being studied to make sure they don't do anything stupid.  So it's like I said a good question.  An important question.

Consider however this is a short-lifespan insect that will live only a few days before running out of food and basically turning to dust after that, if a hungry Bird doesn't get to them first.  Plus there are so many threats out there -- Birds, Diseases (they do get sick), flypaper, bug killer, curious children...

I would pose this question to the folks at Old Westbury Gardens, which might have a good use for this project in one of its non-toxic sections or might know which farmer or garden would be able to make use of it.  Also check with Cornell University's Cooperative Extension; they too may have a use for Ladybugs.  You want someone who really, truly appreciates these insects.  For contact info, here are the links to both:

http://www.hort.cornell.edu/department/facilities/lihrec/history.html

and

http://www.oldwestburygardens.org

You might also consider putting together a group effort Compost Pile -- if the principal doesn't freak out -- using the first grounds clippings of the season, some old rotting leaves, orange and banana peels and perhaps coffee grounds from the cafeteria (I KNOW Starbucks will donate a bag of used grounds gladly).  Once a week the pile can be turned, the temperature can be monitored, and in 3 months it should be a nice pile of brown dirt.  If you pick up some Red Wiggler earthworms at the local fish store and 'grow' the compost indoors in a container, they will accelerate the decomposition.  Done aerobically (which is why you turn it), there is no odor.  Tricky if you've never done it before, perhaps you should consider it for next year and test drive it this Spring at home.  When you're done, you take some of this new Soil and grow a plant in it.  Teaches the Nitrogen Cycle from the ground up, haha.

Back to your Ladybugs.

Even if they did not survive, the negative effects of pesticides would be yet another lesson to remember.  Plus you can teach them the word ACETYLCHOLINE -- the chemical in the brain of the Ladybug that is disturbed by pesticides.  That's why they die.  Same chemical is botched in patients with Alzheimers and Parkinsons Disease.

For the record, Ladybugs prefer Aphids -- the little green larvae that suck moisture and nutrients out of plant leaves and flower buds in early Spring.  I don't remember when they become a problem but June 1 is usually the week that Roses start blooming all over the Northeast.  Old Westbury's in-house Rosarian would know when they spray for Aphids; perhaps they would let you contribute your Ladybugs to attack Rose Aphids instead, and you could make a followup visit a few days later to see your results.  They are quite impressive.

I used them first to remove the little black dots known as 'Scale' from my mid-sized Ficus Benjamina when I finally bought a house.  Years of hand picking had never gotten every last one.  One treatment with Ladybugs, and the Ficus is still Scale-free a dozen years later.

Your thoughts or comments welcome, and if not, I wish you the best of luck with your project.

L.I.G.