In fine weather, these familiar little creatures flutter and scamper through meadows, fields and gardens.
The ladybug, the beast of God
There are a multitude of species known as ladybugs. Among the six thousand recorded in the world, the most common in our latitudes have five or seven black spots on their red shell. According to tradition, the first species evokes the five wounds of Christ. The second recalls the number of days in the week and the seven sacraments required by the Catholic Church. The most widespread nicknames, beast for God, cow (or chicken) for God and horse of the Virgin, therefore come from this biblical symbolism. The ladybug is also called catherinette in Champagne and barboulotte in Morvan. In fact, these beetles eat aphids and other mealybugs that are harmful to crops. Their diet has therefore made ladybugs the historical allies of gardeners. This helping hand was well worth some nice little nicknames…
The dragonfly, a frail carnivore
This insect flies over bodies of water with grace, silence and speed, waving its four ribbed and translucent wings. The anatomist Georges Cuvier named the species dragonfly in 1798. This word evokes its very straight gliding flight (from the Latin libella meaning level). A subspecies, with a very elongated abdomen, is nicknamed “the damsel”. Observing it more closely, we notice its large bulging eyes and its grinding mouthparts. A big consumer of insects, this lady would rather resemble a butcher boy!
The firefly, a fire fly
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