Legend has it that ladybugs get their name from the Virgin Mary

This one is rather an unusual fact; however, have you ever wondered where the ‘lady’ comes from in their name?  We can trace this to the legend of the Middle Ages. 

According to the story, European crops were plagued by pests during this period. Due to this unforeseen incident, the farmers began praying to the blessed lady, Virgin Mary, to save their crops. 

Soon after, they began seeing beneficial ladybugs and noticed their crops were saved. The ladybugs were eating all the aphids and other damaging insect species. Rooted in gratitude, the farmers started referring to these beetles or insect-eating birds as “our lady’s birds” or “our lady’s beetles.” In Germany, people refer to them as Marienkafer, meaning Mary beetles. 

Read more about what people have to say about these intriguing little insects in our list of ladybug quotes.