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On sunny days, meadows, gardens and fields fill with small, familiar creatures that flutter and scamper in all directions. Among them, several insects stand out for their appearance, behavior or symbolism. These sometimes discreet creatures play essential roles in our ecosystems and are often surrounded by legends and popular nicknames. Here are some of these fascinating creatures that amaze young and old alike.
The ladybug, nicknamed the good Lord's beast
The ladybug, also called "good Lord's beast", is probably one of the most beloved insects. There are nearly six thousand species of ladybugs in the world, but in our latitudes, the most common have five or seven black spots on their red shell. According to some traditions, the five-spotted ladybugs represent the wounds of Christ, while the seven-spotted ones symbolize the seven sacraments or the seven days of the week in the Catholic faith. These religious beliefs have contributed to the attribution of nicknames such as "good Lord's beast", "God's cow", or even "Virgin's horse" to this tiny creature.
The ladybug is not only appreciated for its appearance, but also for its crucial role in gardens. Indeed, it feeds on aphids and other pests that harm plants. Gardeners therefore consider it a valuable ally in the fight against pests. In some French regions, such as Champagne and Morvan, it is also known as "catherinette" or "barboulotte". These affectionate nicknames reflect the usefulness of the ladybug, which, in addition to being charming, is an essential insect for the preservation of our green spaces.
The dragonfly, an elegant carnivore
The dragonfly is another insect that does not go unnoticed, especially near bodies of water. Equipped with four translucent and nervous wings, it flies with grace and agility, seeming to glide above the bodies of water. The anatomist Georges Cuvier is at the origin of the name "dragonfly", which he gave to this insect in 1798. This term comes from the Latin "libella", which means "level", in reference to the regularity of its flight.
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