Seven-spot Ladybird (Ladybug)

Hello. I am a seven-spot ladybug. My shell is shiny and bright red, like a little berry in the sun. On my back, I have seven small black spots. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. That is how you know it is me. My story begins on a warm morning. I woke up all cozy on a big, green leaf in a happy, sunny garden. The whole world was bright and green around me, and it was time to start my day exploring.

After I stretch my little legs, my tummy starts to feel very hungry. I need to find my favorite breakfast. I love to eat tiny green bugs called aphids. They are very small and they like to sit on the garden plants. But too many aphids can hurt the plants, making them sad and weak. I am a garden helper. My job is to munch on all the aphids. I crawl from leaf to leaf, eating the little bugs to keep the flowers and vegetables healthy and strong. It is a very important job.

Sometimes, bigger animals like birds see my bright red shell and think I look like a tasty snack. But I have a secret trick to protect myself. If a bird comes too close, I can release a yucky-tasting yellow liquid from my legs. The bird does not like the taste at all and will leave me alone. This helps me stay safe while I do my work. My job is to keep helping gardens, day after day. You can find me and my friends crawling on leaves, always busy keeping your plants safe.