INUVIK
Shrieks of delight could be heard coming from the Inuvik Community Greenhouse July 1 as hundreds of ladybugs were introduced to their new homes.

Tahira Pokiak, 2, watches as her ladybugs scurry out into the garden during an event at the Inuvik Community Greenhouse July 1. - Meagan Leonard/NNSL photo

While the insects will no doubt be enjoying their new quarters, the squeals came from the 100 or more children who came out to release the bugs and make them feel welcome.

Greenhouse executive director Ray Solotki said the turnout far surpassed expectations.

"I was shocked. I expected maybe 10 families, not almost 200 people," she said. "So good to see so many locals enjoying the space and feeling welcome."

The annual event, while fun for kids and parents alike, was actually designed to improve the greenhouse as an alternative to pesticide treatment, said Solotki.

"We have a little bit of an aphid problem that started a few years ago," she explained. "Because we are completely organic and you're not allowed to use any pesticides, they researched some alternatives and one really successful one is to bring in ladybugs."

Part of the event's purpose was also to educate those who have plots in the greenhouse to identify ladybug larvae so they don't mistakenly destroy them because they are the most important part of the process. When ladybugs lay their eggs, they do so in the colonies of plant-eating insects such as aphids. When the larvae hatch, they immediately begin to feed.

"Everybody knows what a ladybug looks like, but their larvae look like weird little aliens," said Solotki with a laugh. "We need to make sure that nobody kills those aliens out on their plants."

Kids were given colouring pages outlining the lifecycle of a ladybug, which were hung up on the walls around the greenhouse.

The bugs arrived from Vancouver Island a week ahead of the event and were kept in the refrigerator where they remained dormant until the event. Solotki said Inuvik's climate ensures the species will not get out of control and cause a problem.

"It gets cold here then they die off and it's not like they're invading or their going to be carried over or anything like that," she explained.

Events like the ladybug release are part of an initiative to get more people out to the greenhouse and introduce children to the space and aspects of nature, said Solotki, adding many of them haven't really seen many insects before due to the Northern climate.

"A lot of kids here are afraid of bugs, so it's good for them to see this," she said. "We want everyone to feel comfortable in the greenhouse so this is also a good opportunity for community members who haven't been here before to come in and see what it's all about."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.