Swapping pesticides for beetles could put money in farmers' pockets

Originally published as an Op-Ed on China Dialogue, republished here with minor edits.

Every time you see a ladybird beetle, you should tuck the bug in your wallet as they are prosperity-bringing lucky charms, according to folklore in many countries.

There’s a grain of truth in the old stories. Every ladybird in a cotton field in the North China Plain provides an economic benefit to farmers of at least 0.05 yuan (US$ 0.01)….