In high alpine areas, where the air is thin and the terrain rugged, congregations of insects like ladybugs are an unexpected but essential part of the ecosystem—and can even play a surprising role in the diet of grizzly bears. Each summer, ladybugs make their way to these high elevations in massive numbers to hibernate in cooler conditions, seeking out rocky crevices and sunny slopes. These seemingly delicate beetles come together in huge clusters, sometimes numbering in the thousands. But what