If the ladybugs are making a comeback, it is only beginning. The Lost Ladybug Project started surveys in 2000. As of 2006, only five nine-spotted ladybugs had been found in North America in the (previous) 10 years, none of them in the East. Then one lone ladybug was (found) in Arlington, Va. None had been found in the East since, and only 90 have been (reported) in North America.

      It is the native species that is in trouble. Others, like Asian ladybugs, which were imported for pest control, are thriving in New York State and (elsewhere), and can often be found gathering in or on houses in the fall. These Asian bugs and a species from Europe could be a reason for the decline of some native species, though Dr. Losey said the loss of (farmland) could be another reason.

     After scientists at Cornell confirmed Mr. Priolo’s find, they went to the Amagansett farm in mid-August to lead a search that turned up about 20 more of the bugs. An area (between) rows of carrots and beans turned out to be a hot spot.

     “We found a lot of them on cosmos and zinnias,” Dr. Losey said. The farm is part of the 10,000-acre Peconic Land Trust in Amagansett, and it is (organic). For ladybugs, Dr. Losey said, “you couldn’t design a better place.”

       Dr. Losey wants to find out if it makes sense to reintroduce this strain of the ladybug in other areas. And he expects (volunteers) to be back out in the field when ladybug season starts again in the spring.

Now, he said, “we need to find out more places where it’s thriving.”