Lanzarote is now full of ladybirds

Just a few weeks after the arrival of thousands of locusts from the African mainland, Lanzarote is now full of a different insect – seven-spotted ladybirds.

Unlike the locusts, the ladybirds are local, and have usually hatched out in rural areas, which are full of greenery following the rains of winter. The ladybird is considered a friend of gardeners and farmers because it preys on pests such as greenfly and aphids.

However, unlike the completely harmless locust, ladybirds can occasionally give a tiny bite which may cause an allergic reaction.

The English and Spanish words for the beetle, ladybird and mariquita, both derive from the Virgin Mary, who was often shown wearing a red cloak in early paintings. On Lanzarote, however, the little insect has its own charming local name – sarantontón.