Brian Ireley, Smithsonian
Ladybugs take a detour on their way to help Smithsonian gardens grow on the National Mall today. Children and adults were invited to participate as 9,000 ladybugs were released by Smithsonian horticulturists during the Living Earth Festival at the National Museum of the American Indian.
Ladybugs are beneficial insects – they help control aphids and act as a natural pesticide for plants in place of chemicals.
To learn more about Smithsonian Gardens and beneficial insect release, visit gardens.si.edu.
