The Buckeye Lady Beetle Blitz Program (BLBB) program was launched in March 2009 by Mary Gardiner as an Ohio-wide citizen science program aimed at evaluating the current state of native and exotic coccinellids, and the influence of landscape on their populations. The programs goal is to engage volunteers in the scientific process of monitoring biodiversity to enhance our understanding of the influence of landscape structure on lady beetle communities in human-mediated habitats. Lady beetles provide the ideal system to educate the public about the importance of biodiversity as they are beneficial predators, several species occur in residential habitats, and species are relatively easy to distinguish within aid of a microscope. In spring 2009, BLBB volunteers attended a one day training workshop (six were held across Ohio) where we discussed the current decline in several native lady beetle species documented in recent years and the importance of these species to both biodiversity and biocontrol services. We provided training on how to identify both lady beetles and other beneficial insects found in home landscapes. At this training, volunteers were provided toolkits containing yellow sticky card traps, a step-in fence post, sampling instructions, a lady beetle identification card, data sheets, and pre-paid mailing envelopes. Volunteers collect lady beetle data twice during the summer, in mid-June and mid-August from a food or flower garden of any size. Following sample collection, they provide data on the size and composition of their garden sampling site and determine the diversity and abundance of lady beetles collected on their sticky card. After analyzing their data, volunteers mail their data sheet and sticky trap to OSU in a pre-paid envelope. Currently, we have completed our first sampling period (Data collection ran from June 14-June 27) and of the 186 volunteers in our network, 89% have submitted their results. As part of this program, a training video was developed to describe the process of data collection and why we are collecting lady beetle data. We have submitted a 2 minute excerpt of this video, the entire video can be viewed on our website (http://www.ladybeetles.osu.edu) along with additional information about this program. This video was produced by Chris Dicus. (less info)