Herndon — The Children's Science Center of Herndon, at 485 Spring Park Place, Suite 500, is providing some ideas for backyard science this summer, with a call to young scientists to identify various species of ladybugs in their backyard. The challenge is part of a project, Operation: Ladybug, a collaborative effort between Cornell University’s Lost Ladybug Project and the Children’s Science Center to gather data for entomologists. According to Cornell University, the ladybug species distribution across North America is changing: while some native ladybugs are becoming rare in some areas, other regions are seeing more ladybugs than in the past. Cornell entomologists report, “This is happening very quickly and we don’t know how, or why, or what impact it will have on ladybug diversity or the role that ladybugs play in keeping plant-feeding insect populations low.” Young scientists interested in helping can do so by registering as a participant at www.TheChildrensScienceCenter.org/Ladybug, then locating and photographing ladybugs found in backyards, parks, trails and communities. Children then can send their "ladies" photos to Cornell University entomologists. While the university scientists are doing their research, Herndon children can help identify different species and contribute to this nationwide study. Cornell is most interested in the rare species—such as the nine-spotted ladybugs, but any and all pictures help with the project. Cornell entomologists encourage Operation: Ladybug participants to keep a Ladybug Log telling where and how they collected the ladybugs, for what duration, and the time, date, weather and habitat. Everyone, including citizen scientists, will be invited to the Operation: Ladybug Finale, a fun, family event, on Sunday, Aug. 4, where children receive the certificate of participation they have earned. For more information on the Children’s Science Center’s Operation: Ladybug and how to send in your submissions, please visit: www.TheChildrensScienceCenter.org/Ladybug.