Critter of the Week: Papapa kopure | Orange-spotted ladybird

Is it a bird or a bug? The answer is neither! Ladybirds or ladybugs are beautiful beetles that are a great help in the garden, where they can eat up to 100 aphids per day. This week's critter is the papapa kopure or orange-spotted ladybird (Coccinella leonina), an endemic species with a glossy black body and bright orange spots. Ladybirds are beloved creatures. Since the Middle Ages, they have been associated with the Virgin Mary, and many people still believe they bring good luck.