From a poem prompt David Harrison gave us at Renee LaTulippe’s blog No Water River.
A LOVELY BEETLE
Can you guess my name?
“You’re lovely ladybug!”
Yes, but I’m really a
beetle, called ladybird, and
sometimes lady beetle.
Say, Coccinellidae,
That’s my family name.
Say it sloooooower now
Coc ci nell i dae, Yeah!
You got it Hooray!
We’re beetles cause of
our hard shells that hide our
graceful wings. Unlike
bugs we launch a larva
stage, then cocoon and grow.
Us ladybugs live
three years–eating pesty
plants–aphids, white flies,
and mites. We’re everywhere
helping plants stay healthy!
Our predators stay
far away due to our
most horrible taste.
Kindly keep your distance–
allow us a small space.
©2018 Michelle Kogan
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 