Key Takeaways
- Ladybugs are being used as a form of pest control at Parliament House in Canberra to combat aphid infestations.
- Four different species of ladybugs are released in the outdoor courtyards of Parliament House to feed on aphids.
- The ladybugs are a natural and chemical-free solution to managing pest populations.
- The use of ladybugs as a form of pest control is considered an "obvious solution" by CSIRO entomologist Adam Ślipiński.
- The ladybugs are able to eat up to 100 aphids per day, making them an effective form of pest control.
Introduction to Pest Control at Parliament House
When politicians and most staff are away from Canberra for the summer holidays, a ravenous group of fly-in workers descend on Parliament House. However, these workers are not there to pass legislation or attend meetings, but rather to suck the guts out of the pests that have taken over the symbolic heart of democracy. Nick Jordan, an integrated pest management officer, is one of these workers, and he comes armed with a special tool to combat the pest infestation: ladybugs.
The Ladybug Solution
Inside a cardboard box carried by Nick Jordan are half a dozen punnets of ladybugs, which he will release in different outdoor courtyards around the building. The four different species of ladybugs are sent from around Australia to eat aphids that can cause severe damage to trees and gardens by feeding on plant sap. The ladybugs are one of several "beneficial insects" that Mr. Jordan uses in his job to try keeping ecosystems in balance without using strong chemicals. With hundreds of thousands of aphids all across the courtyards and gardens of Parliament, the ladybugs have their work cut out for them. However, they are insatiable eaters and will eat up to 100 aphids per day, making them an effective form of pest control.
The Science Behind Ladybug Pest Control
According to CSIRO entomologist Adam Ślipiński, using ladybugs at Parliament House is an "obvious solution" to the pest problem. Dr. Ślipiński, who has written two books about Australian ladybugs, says that the ladybugs are very efficient aphid eaters, can be easily bred in captivity, live a long time, and can be easily transported. He notes that there are not many predators of aphids in Australia or worldwide, making the ladybugs a valuable asset in the fight against pests. While the ladybugs will not completely wipe out the aphid population, they will help to keep it under control, and as the aphid population decreases, the ladybugs will move away, allowing the aphid population to increase again in a cycle that will continue.
A Unique Connection to Canberra
Dr. Ślipiński has another connection to ladybugs and Canberra, having auctioned off the naming rights for a new species of beetle to raise money after the Canberra bushfires in 2003. The tiny ladybug, called the Chaetolotis amy Ślipiński, is now housed in the CSIRO’s storage vault, among the more than 12 million specimens. The ladybug was named after a young girl named Amy, whose father bought the naming rights as a present for her 18th birthday. Dr. Ślipiński describes the ladybug as "shiny, metallic" and "beautiful" and notes that it is unique from a biological perspective, with its diet and evolutionary history still unknown.
The Future of Pest Control
The use of ladybugs as a form of pest control at Parliament House is a promising solution to the problem of aphid infestations. With their ability to eat up to 100 aphids per day, the ladybugs are an effective and natural way to manage pest populations. As Dr. Ślipiński notes, the ladybugs are an "obvious solution" to the problem, and their use could be expanded to other areas beyond Parliament House. With further research and development, the use of ladybugs and other beneficial insects could become a key component of pest control strategies in Australia and around the world.