Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1356256
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 MARCH 2021 9 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 755. Gourd ladybird IT'S spring and insects are out in droves, and among them are the ladybirds. There are several kinds of ladybirds – in Malta alone we have at least 30 species – and they're not all red either. One of these is the gourd ladybird (M. nannakola tal-faqqus), and it's orange. You almost never find a gourd ladybird far from its bristly host plant, the squirting cucumber (M. faqqus il-hmir). Indeed you often find several on a single plant, and in all stages of life too – eggs, larvae and adults – and the adults are often engaged in making more little ones! The young feed on the leaves of the squirting cucumber, but the adults (in typical ladybird tradition) feast on aphids, which of course lands them firmly in farmers' and gardeners' good books. It's possible they also eat pollen from the flowers of their beloved plant, where they spend all their life. Victor Falzon, Desirée Falzon www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 648 Find out more about Maltese nature on our blog: Flower of the Month: Flower of the month – March : Azure Stonecrop THE stars at night turn our gaze upwards – but at this time of year while walking in the countryside we can enjoy some floral 'stargaz- ing' during the day by looking down at the rocky ground. At the moment this annual plant forms attractive carpets of small scarlet succulent leaves over rocky expanses or dried up rockpools and it blooms with strikingly beautiful star-like flowers with a bluish-vi- olet tinge. A sight not to miss, even better: take a magnifying lens along! There are six species of Sedum growing in the wild in Malta – all very well equipped for life in the dry, exposed areas. This species is short lived so enjoy it while it lasts! VISIT Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation – www.foe- malta.org/donate www.foemalta.org/plantofthemonth Appster Smartphone fun and smarter work Freeletics Personal trainer Free Apple, Android Europe's #1 fitness app lets you work out anytime, anywhere with the best digital personal trainer - no gym required. Whatever your fitness level, achieve your goals quickly and build healthy habits with personalized HIIT workouts and audio coaching. Losing weight, gaining muscle or improving your fitness has never been so simple. TECH RETAILERS contact afarrugia@ mediatoday.com.mt A GOOD WEEK FOR Good Week/Bad Week Don't miss this A BAD WEEK FOR InClassica Malta International Music Festival 2021 Date: 17 April - 11 May, 7-9pm Location: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta. InClassica is a celebration of classical music that will take place over 25 consecutive days at none other than the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The iconic and historic building will become the grounds for an eclectic mix of talented musicians and orchestras as they perform for local and foreign enthusiasts in what will hopefully be one of the first post- COVID cultural events. Fans of nature. New Yorkers are fascinated as dolphins were spotted swimming in East River. A video of a pair of dolphins swimming in New York's once famously polluted and dirty East River has served as a reminder that the body of water is cleaner than it has been in more than a century. Fans of the TV show Arrested Development. Actor Jessica Walter has died at the age of 80. Walter, best known for her Emmy-winning role as Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development, died in her sleep at her New York home. A video clip was posted on Twitter by social media user Cailin The actor had won an Emmy in 1975 Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member