The Lost Ladybug Project at Quail Hill Farm with SoFo

osponsored by the Peconic Land Trust–Quail Hill Farm and the South Fork Natural History Museum (SoFo)

The Peconic Land Trust and SoFo team up with scientists from Cornell University for our annual search for more “lost ladybugs” at Quail Hill Farm. Across North America, ladybug species’ composition is changing. Over the past 20 years, native ladybugs—like the endangered nine-spotted ladybug, the official New York State insect—that were once very common have become extremely rare, while ladybugs from other parts of the world have greatly increased both their numbers and range. This is happening very quickly, and we don’t know how or why or what impact it will have on ladybug diversity or the role that ladybugs play in keeping plant-feeding insect populations low. In this program, you will gently capture and, under the guidance of Cornell entomologists, learn how to identify and then release ladybugs while compiling data to further this important research. Children can join a special expedition, led by Andrew

Blaurock, a budding entomologist and SoFo member who will be giving an insect program on August 20 at SoFo,—he has successfully captured the nine-spotted ladybug in past searches! Wear sunscreen and bring a digital camera if you have one. Children must be accompanied by a willing adult participant. There is no charge for anyone for this program, so bring friends. Please park on Deep Lane and meet at the farmstand. For more information on the “Lost Ladybug Project,” visit www.lostladybug.org. If there are heavy rains, the program will be held on Wednesday, July 13.

SoFo programs are free for members (materials fee applies), $7.50 for child non-members and $10 for adult non-members.

Advance reservations are required for all events. For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, please call: 631.537.9735.