In the stillness of the morning, still dewy and the sun just beginning to shine, I found one resting peacefully on a branch of a plant. It was a ladybird, or more commonly known as a six-spotted zigzag ladybird. In agricultural circles, this ladybird is known as the farmer's best friend. It is the most loyal garden guardian, preying on other insects that try to damage cultivated crops.
In Latin, this ladybird is called Cheilomenes sexmaculata, a member of the Coccinellidae family. The ladybug is very small, and its bright colors made it easy to spot it. It's reddish orange with unique black markings.
The pattern is like an abstract painting painted by an invisible hand. The bright colors and unique pattern aren't just for show, they're also a graceful defense. It doesn't need to scream, just its costume tells predators it's not a tasty meal.
When I found her, she just stood there quietly, as if she knew I was going to use her as a model. The look in her eyes seemed to tell me, "I'm small, but I deserve to be seen." Look at her. When the sunlight hits her, her body sparkles like a jewel. At first glance, the sparkle is like freshly polished porcelain, so beautiful.
| Latin name | Cheilomenes sexmaculata |
|---|---|
| Observation date | 13 Jul, 2025 |
| Camera used | realme 7 Pro |
| Photographers | @reachdreams |
| Location | Aceh, Indonesia |
| Link to original community |
|---|
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/297467485
| Latitude | Longitude | Map |
|---|---|---|
| 4.695135 | 96.7493993 | https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=4.695135&mlon=96.7493993 |
