Ladybug Science Experiment! Created by kids for kids. A great way to help your garden and challenge your thinking. Let’s find out what color ladybugs really do prefer.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links
My kids love science experiments. When we saw a bag of 1,000 ladybugs at our local garden store, the kids said, “These would be great for the aphids in our garden AND, we could do a science experiment.”
Ladybug Science Experiment
What kind of science experiment would that be I asked.
They said, “We want to know what color ladybugs prefer.”
They went on to tell me that they like ladybugs and would like to see more in our garden. If they knew what color they liked best, it would help them choose what color flowers to plant.
I was
1. Proud of them for thinking through this science experiment on the go.
2. Impressed that they thought of this science experiment.
So, we purchased the ladybugs!
What Colors Do Ladybugs Prefer? A Ladybug Science Experiment
Learning Objective: Design and carry out a science experiment.
Materials Needed
1. Spray the area you will be releasing the ladybugs with a diluted sugar water mixture. We used 1 tablespoon and warm water in our spray bottle. The garden center lady told us that the ladybugs have a better chance of staying in the area if you do this. They decided to spray the papers with sugar water to entice the ladybugs to land on it.
2. Open the ladybug package up.
3. Observe. Use a magnifying glass to see the close up details.
Ladybug Science Experiment Outcomes:
Spoiler Alert:
What the children observed.
1. The ladybugs legs tickled your fingers if they landed on you.
2. They were red,
3. 1,000 seems like a big number, but really isn’t when you see the tiny bag of ladybugs.
4. Ladybugs have NO interest in construction paper.
That’s right. The ladybugs would NOT land on the paper in any way. My 8 year old tried putting them on the paper and they would crawl or fly right off.
The ladybugs did, however, like the grass with the sugar water next to the papers.
Was this an epic science experiment fail?
Absolutely not.
The idea of science is not that you come out with the right outcomes. It is that you test your theories, learn about the world, and try again.
“Maybe the ladybugs are smart creatures and know that the paper isn’t alive,” my kids exclaimed.
How could we design a similar experiment that “may work?”
If you try one, let us know how it goes. Your kids (and your garden) will thank you!
Ladybug Themed Playdate Ideas for Kids
More Ladybug Learning Activities from the #PlayfulPreschool Education Team
Ladybug Prepositions Play by Rainy Day Mum
Ladybug Letter Spots by Growing Book by Book
Ladybug Science Experiment by The Educators’ Spin On It
Ladybug Math Chant and Game by Capri + 3
Ladybug Roll and Cover Math Game by Mom Inspired Life
Seashell Ladybug Craft by Still Playing School
Ladybug Garden Rocks by Powerful Mothering
Cupcake Liner Ladybug by Fun-A-Day!
Ladybug Literacy Connections
Adding in a book (or two) to a science experiment can enrich the level of vocabulary used during the science experiment. Consider reading a non-fiction text about ladybugs prior to opening your bag of ladybugs.
Here are a few ladybug books that we enjoy.
- It’s a Good Thing There Are Ladybugs by Joanne Mattern
- Are You A Ladybug? by Judy Allen
- A Ladybug’s Life by John Himmelman
- Lady Bug by David M. Schwartz
- Ladybugs by Gail Gibbons
- Look for Ladybug in Plant City by Katherina Manolessou
Where to Purchase Ladybugs?
Ladybugs are natural predators of aphids. We have a large backyard garden and the aphids (and army worms) seem to be out in full force this year.
Instead of using chemicals, we try the most natural line of defense first. It worked out that we could use these ladybugs to encourage our children to be interested in science too.
We found out the ladybug package at a local gardening center, but they are also available for purchase on Amazon.
1500 Live Ladybugs – Good Bugs – Ladybugs – Guaranteed Live Delivery!
So ladybugs don't like paper. Great to know For when we try it. I'm go into let the girls try a few pieces of material that we got left over from some dresses I made. Maybe they like fabric.
That is wonderful that your kids created and tried their own science experiment! Thanks for your tip on the sugar water. We will have to try that in the future.
it still amazes me that people can buy live insects off amazon!
I wish we lived in an area that the post didn't take a month+ to reach us. I would have also enjoyed live ladybugs. I would release them on my poor rose stalks.
Awesome experiment! I think it's fantastic that they thought of this idea on their own and then tested it.
Fabulous – I love this experiment it's perfect science. My Master Thesis went something like that as a conclusion as well.
We have done an experiment in the past which I need to write up using flowers in the garden counting how many ladybirds there were on each flowers type – They do prefer a certain colour. If you want more ladybirds you should have a look at our plants to grow to get more ladybirds in your garden 😀
"No interest in construction paper"
Hahaha! I love this!