Lucky Charm Booklet

Ladybirds are common

There are many reasons for its status as the best known and probably best loved beetle. Ladybirds are common, comparatively long-lived and are found all around us. What is more, their red and black markings are eye-catching, they are highly mobile and are not afraid of alighting on people's hands. Children love to watch them, and the seven spots sported by the beetles are associated with the mystic, lucky number seven.
The colour red suggests danger, such as fire and blood, but is also seen as the colour of love and sexual allure.
Ladybirds are said to have been sanctified by Freya, the Old Norse goddess of love and fertility. The reason why ladybirds are so closely associated with the Virgin Mary are largely unknown, but it assumed that the earlier relationship with Freya was transferred to Mary.

5,000 species worldwide

Ladybirds are found all over the globe, with 5,000 species worldwide and 227 in Europe. Their bodies are usually short and oval, or even hemispherical. The basic colours are yellow, red, black and brown, with many possible variations.
They feed on a wide variety of creatures: greenfly, shield live, whitefly, jumping plant lice, mites, bugs, thrips, the larvae of butterflies, beetles and sawflies, green plants, pollen and mildew.
In 1889, the Australian species Rodolia cardinalis was introduced into California in an effort to combat Pericerya purchasi, the Australian mealy bug, which attacks citrus fruit. This initiative marked the world's first major biological pest control success.

Stamp issued in booklets

This stamp is issued in booklets, containing 10 stamps, designed by Bernadette Baltis.
Issue: Switzerland, 17 September 2002

More information

Stamps Switzerland
Postage Stamps 2002
Swiss insects
Switzerland Circus
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Expo02 miniature sheet