According to European folklore, sometime during the Middle Ages, a horde of insects descended upon vast land holdings owned by several lords. The voracious insects chomped their way across fields, leaving nothing but devastation in their wake. Fearful that all their food crops would be destroyed, the serfs and all the lords and ladies prayed to the Virgin Mary for help. A host of red and black beetles appeared. The beetles ate all the invading insects until, at last, all the crops were saved. From that day forward, these beetles became known as "Our Lady's bugs" or "Ladybugs."