Researchers said the official New York state insect, the nine-spotted ladybug, is making a comeback after a 29-year absence.

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The Lost Ladybug Project, an effort led by Cornell University entomologist John Losey, said volunteer Peter Priolo found a nine-spotted ladybug in Amagansett July 30 and further searches at the location in August found enough of the insects to establish a thriving colony in Losey's Ithaca lab, The New York Times reported Friday.

Losey, who said only 10 nine-spotted ladybugs were found in all of North America in the 10 years leading up to 2006, said he is now researching whether it would make sense to introduce the ladybugs to other areas.

"We need to find out more places where it's thriving," he said.