My NZ mini beast report

We have been learning about mini beasts as part of science. We have been creating information reports about mini beast of our choice. The mini beast we chose had to live in Aotearoa/NZ. Here is my writing. I worked with Indi.

                                             Amazing 

Aotearoa/New Zealand

  Mumutawa/ladybirds                                 

 What are Mumutawa/ladybirds?

Mumutawa/ladybirds are little kata/insects. They were brought to New Zealand.
Mumutawa/ladybirds are also
called Farmers’ Friends because they help farmers get rid of pests. The orange spotted
ladybird is also known as Mumutawa and Coccinella leonine. The Harlequin ladybug is
native to NZ. They kaiao/live up to 2-3 years. They’re named Mumutawa/ladybirds after
Lady Mary ( Mother of Jesus ) because off her red cloak that she wore in kōwhaiwhai/
paintings. There are many different types of Mumutawa/ladybirds. The Harlequin
ladybug is A.K.A Harmonia axyridis. The orange spotted ladybird is not threatened. The
Harlequin Mumutawa/ladybirds are 5 to 8 mm. 

                                                Habitat

 Mumutawa/ladybirds live in both North and South Island. Sometimes you can see them
in your mahi mara/garden rerere/flying around and being free. Remember don’t hurt
them because they help you. Some live in warmer places than others. 

Mumutawa/ladybirds live in shrubs, trees, mahi mara/gardens, fields, huahake/crops,
parks. Some even live in wharepuni/houses. They also live in native habitats. 

                  

                           Social Behaviour

Some mumutawa/ladybirds are takitahi/individual. They only pāhikohiko/interact
with others of their kind during breeding. Each kind of mumutawa/ladybirds has its
own odor for attracting  a mate. Some are partly takitahi/individual and gather in large
groups. This is during takurua/winter or while hekenga/migrating. Mumutawa/
ladybirds mate in aroaromahana/spring and early matiti/summer. The male grips the
tuawahine/female from behind and holds on kita/tight.

                                    Feeding time

Mumutawa/ladybirds love to eat just like us. Tuatahi/First of all Mumutawa/
ladybirds are mostly carnivores (Carnivores only eat meat) but some can also be
omnivores ( Omnivores eat both meat and plants ). Carnivores Mumutawa/ladybirds
eat mites, white flies, kuturiki/aphids and scale kata/insects. Mumutawa/ladybirds that
are omnivores eat  mites, white paturongo/flies, kuturiki/aphids and scaled kata/insects
and they eat /pollen and mushrooms. Mumutawa/ladybirds eat their pārurenga/prey
alive. Mumutawa/ladybirds love kuturiki/aphids.

 How do they breed
Mumutawa/ladybirds lay up to 40 eggs at a time. Mumutawa/ladybirds lay once or

more times a year. The eggs of the ladybug is either orange or yellow. These eggs will
hatch within 4-10 days. Ladybirds lay their eggs in clusters or rows on the underside of
a leaf, usually where kuturiki/aphids have gathered. Mumutawa/ladybirds usually 
breed in May but they mate in Koanga/spring and early Raumati/summer. 

                                                   Threats
The kapatau/threats of the Mumutawa/ladybirds are 11 spotted ladybugs,

poraka/frogs,wasps,spiders,dragonflies,birds. Manu/Birds are the main predators.
Mumutawa/ladybirds will hide in shrubs, trees, grass,and more.The bright colours of
the ladybug are telling predators to tua o tāwauwau/back off!! Also Mumutawa/
ladybirds ooze yucky smelly  toxic liquid that will also tell predators to tua o tāwauwau/
back off!!! Other konihi/predators are assassin bugs, parasitic wasps, and ants. 

                              

  How do they breed
Mumutawa/ladybirds lay up to 40 eggs at a time. Mumutawa/ladybirds lay once or

more times a year. The eggs of the ladybug is either orange or yellow. These eggs will
hatch within 4-10 days. Ladybirds lay their eggs in clusters or rows on the underside
of a leaf, usually where kuturiki/aphids have gathered. Mumutawa/ladybirds usually 
breed in May but they mate in Koanga/spring and early Raumati/summer. 

                                                   Threats

The kapatau/threats of the Mumutawa/ladybirds are 11 spotted ladybugs, poraka/frogs,
wasps,spiders,dragonflies,birds. Manu/Birds are the main predators. Mumutawa/l
adybirds will hide in shrubs, trees, grass,and more.The bright colours of the ladybug
are telling predators to tua o tāwauwau/back off!! Also Mumutawa/ladybirds ooze
yucky smelly  toxic liquid that will also tell predators to tua o tāwauwau/back off!!!
Other konihi/predators are assassin bugs, parasitic wasps, and ants. 

Ending

This is some pārongo/information about Mumutawa/ladybirds. Remember they help
your
mahi mara/garden so don’t uruhua/hurt them. We hope you now know more about
Mumutawa/ladybirds and make sure you kaikanohi/look after them!