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- Wanley, Nathaniel. Wonders of the Little World; or, a General Hist. of Man. 2 v. 8vo., London, 1806.
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CURIOUS HISTORY OF INSECTS.
ORDER I.
COLEOPTERA—BEETLES.
Coccinellidæ—Lady-birds.
The Lady-bird, Coccinella septempunctata, in Scandinavia was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and is there to this day called Nyckelpiga—Our Lady’s Key-maid,[1] and (in Sweden, more particularly) Jung-fru Marias Gullhona—the Virgin Mary’s Golden-hen.[2] A like reverence was paid to this beautiful insect in other countries: in Germany they have been called Frauen or Marien-käfer—Lady-beetles of the Virgin Mary; and in France are now known by the names of Vaches de Dieu—Cows of the Lord, and Bêtes de la Vierge—Animals of the Virgin.[3] The names we know them by, Lady-bird, Lady-bug, Lady-fly, Lady-cow,[4] Lady-clock, Lady-couch (a Scottish name),[5] etc., have reference also to this same dedication, or, at least, respect.
The Lady-bird in Europe, and particularly in Germany, where it probably is the greatest favorite, and whence most of the superstitions connected with it are supposed to have originated, is always connected with fine weather. At Vienna, the children throw it into the air, crying,—
Käferl’, käferl’, käferl’,
Flieg nach Mariabrunn,
Und bring uns ä schone sun.
Or,—