It’s that time of year, and love is in the air. When thinking about love and luck, the last thing most people think about is insects; however, there is one little creature that is commonly referred to as the bearer of good luck, good fortune, and future prosperity.
Positive vibes have always surrounded the ladybug, and across many different cultures, these tiny insects are frequently connected with love and prosperity. They have even been known to “tell your future love life.” Regardless of the rumors, ladybugs have always been a topic of misconception when it comes to love.
Symbolism Across the World
Cultures around the world see ladybugs as a very positive influence. They are often tied to love, prosperity, and good luck, and wherever you see them, good omens usually follow. In mythology and folklore, they grant wishes, protect babies, and provide safety for travelers.
On the more practical side, farmers saw them as a positive because they protected crops from aphids. Ladybugs act as a natural bug repellent and pest control expert by eating plant-damaging insects.
Farmers often called these common little bugs omens of a good harvest. While there are many reasons good vibes follow them, ladybugs are not actually little cupids. Some, in fact, can be insufferable pests. To set the record straight, here are seven common misconceptions about ladybugs and love.
1. Counting A Ladybug’s Spots Will Indicate How Many Children You Will Have.
This could be a doozy if you randomly encounter a spot-covered insect. Rumor has it that if a ladybug lands on you on its own accord, you can count the spots and discover how many children you’ll have.
Ladybug spots are an evolved defense mechanism. The spots, along with the bright color of their body, warn would-be predators that eating a ladybug will result in a nasty and possibly poisonous taste. So, rather than an indicator of how many children you will have, it keeps ladybugs off the menu.
2. No spots? You May Meet Your True Love.
On the reverse side of the spots theory, if a ladybug with no spots lands on you, it’s a sign that you will encounter your true love. Whether you are going to meet someone, rekindle a romance, or maintain a good relationship, a love fortune is promised to anyone who encounters one of these lucky bugs.
However, if you do encounter one of these spotless ladybugs, it’s not even a ladybug at all. Instead, it’s an Asian lady beetle. Unfortunately, they aren’t necessarily good luck, either. Asian lady beetles are notorious overwintering pests. If they find their way inside your home, they will hide away in the winter until the weather turns warmer.
Afterward, they will have a hatching, and suddenly, that one beetle turns into a swarm. While they don’t do much damage, they do leave a nasty smell and yellow streaks. If you do encounter a spotless bug, don’t bring it inside with you.
3. Ladybugs In Your Home? Good Luck Or…Maybe A New Baby!
So, you’ve found ladybugs in your home? Well, the rumor is that your home will be blessed with good fortune or perhaps a new bundle of joy. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Much like the previous misconception, ladybugs don’t enter at any point.
Asian lady beetles, however, do try to find warm places to hide out for the winter. If you see a swarm of “ladybugs” in your home, you’d best vacuum them up or dispose of them. Otherwise, they may keep returning year after year.
4. Yellow Ladybugs Are A Sign Of Travel, Adventure, New Love Or A New Chapter.
If you encounter a yellow ladybug, you may be in for quite the journey. These little insects signify travel, adventure, or a whole new stage in your life. This is the sign you were looking for – only they may be a little more problematic.
There are many species of ladybug, and the yellow variety may do your home garden more harm than good. If you encounter a typical ladybug, then you have nothing to fear. However, several ladybugs of the yellow variety will eat your garden instead of aphids, or they could be a variation of the Asian lady beetle.
5. Ladybug On Your Hand? You May Hear Wedding Bells.
Encounter a ladybug and looking for love? Well, if a ladybug lands on the hand of an unwed woman, it means they may get married within the year. Of course, there are plenty of factors to debunk this. Ladybugs are often attracted to light colors and certain scents. Your encounter can simply be because a ladybug liked the blouse you were wearing.
6. Kill A Ladybug, And You Welcome Bad Luck.
This one can be a little hard to swallow. Since ladybugs are often seen as sources of good fortune and luck, to kill one is considered a great offense. Of course, if you end up with a swarm in your house, it can be difficult to deal with the problem of harming a few in the process. If you are the superstitious type, remember that those “ladybugs” in your home are actual Asian lady beetles.
7. If One Bites You, You Need To Chill.
The last common misconception about ladybugs and love is that if one bites you, it’s time to slow down and reflect on your life. Again, ladybugs rarely, if ever, bite humans. Asian lady beetles, however, are far more aggressive and have been known to bite. So, rather than it being a sign to relax, it’s more of a display of aggression from an angry lady beetle.
Luck Be a Ladybug
While ladybugs may not be a real source of luck or good fortune, they do play a critical role in the environment. They keep gardens pest-free, and they are harmless creatures that blossom during the warm months of the year. Be aware of the imposter Asian lady beetle, however.
If you’re lucky, you can avoid this overwintering pest and keep your home bug-free. So, count your lucky spots, keep your eyes on the sky, and may luck be on your side this season.
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