Seven-spotted and other ladybirds
Insect of the Year joins the Tree, Bird, Wild Flower, Fish and Mushroom of the Year
MúzeumCafé 24.
A number of Hungarian organisations have launched a campaign to call the attention of the public to the importance of nature protection and environmentally conscious living by means of designating a plant or animal for each year. It’s not only the given species which is highlighted, but also its living conditions. The idea behind the campaign is to promote a better understanding of processes found in nature. For 2011 the West Hungarian University has selected the yew tree as Tree of the Year, MME/BirdLife Hungary has picked the great tit as Bird of the Year, and botanists have chosen the pulsatilla as Wild Flower of the Year. The Hungarian Fish Association has designated the Volga pikeperch as Fish of the Year, while mushroom gatherers have appointed the fly agaric as Mushroom of the Year. In December last year teachers asked Tamás Vásárhelyi of the Hungarian Natural History Museum why insects had been left off of the list, since many European countries have an Insect of the Year. In support of the idea, the Hungarian Entomological Society, which is celebrating the 101st anniversary of its foundation this year, selected an Insect of the Year for the first time. The choice fell on the common seven-spotted ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata). Why exactly a ladybird? The Insect of the Year must meet several criteria. For example, it must be clearly visible to the naked eye, be attractive and be associated with positive feelings. It should be well-known to both specialists and lay people. Its way of life should be known and have cultural associations, and it should possibly be included in the school syllabus.