About Ladybugs

Ladybugs are also called "lady birds," "lady beetles" and "ladybirds."

They are among the most beloved of all insects. This is because of their attractive appearance as well as their voracious consumption of harmful insects. As a result, a number of songs and poems, including the ever-popular Ladybug ladybug . . . nursery rhyme, have been written about them and numerous small businesses and products have been named after them.

Ladybugs belong to a family of beetles called Coccinellidae, which means "little sphere." The number of species worldwide is estimated at between 4,000 and 5,000, Roughly 450 of these are found in North America, some of which are native to the continent and others of which have been introduced from abroad.

Adult ladybugs are usually easily identified by their distinct appearance, which typically consists mainly of a small, slightly oval but nearly round, dome shaped main body (i.e., the abodomen) that is a bright red with black spots on it. They usually range in length from 4mm to 7mm. Different species have different numbers of spots, ranging to as many as 24. The spot pattern remains constant throughout a ladybug's life and does not change with age.

Although the forewings, which cover all of the upper side of the domed main body are usually red with black spots, this is not always the case. Some species have the opposite color scheme, that is black with red spots, and others are mustard colored (rather than red) with black spots. Some species have a solid coloring (i.e., with no spots), usually red or black. The area immediately behind the head can also have a distinctive pattern corresponding to the colors of the forewings.

Huge Appetite

Both the mature beetles and the larvae of most species are active predators that consume huge numbers of plant-feeding insects, mostly aphids but also scales, mites and small insect eggs. Thus they are frequently used as an "environmently-friendly" means of protecting crops and gardens.

Ladybugs have a rather remarkable appetite. The adult female of some species can devour as many as 75 aphids daily. And a single ladybug larva may may consume as many as 350 aphids during that stage of its life.

Ladybugs live in a wide variety of habitats, including trees, bushs, fields, beaches, and even houses. Among the many plants to which they are attracted are alfalfa, buckwheat, coriander, cosmos, crimson clover, dandelion, dill, peas, Queen Anne's lace, rye, tansy and yarrow.

With the approach of winter, ladybugs seek shelter in order to hibernate. Their winter resting place can be behind loose pieces of tree bark, under rocks or even inside of houses. With the return of spring the ladybug life cycle starts anew, with the awakened adults dispersing in search of prey, mates and suitable sites for laying eggs.

Masters of Defense

Ladybugs have some interesting ways of protecting themselves from birds and other predators, and thus they have few natural enemies. The most obvious of these is their (usually) highly conspicuous red and black coloration, which provides a warning of their foul taste.

Moreover, if threatened they can also produce a very unpleasant odor, which is most likely from a fluid emitted by the joints in their legs. Additional defensive tricks include pretending that they are dead (because many predators will not eat an insect that doesn't move) and biting.

Ladybug larvae can likewise protect themselves. Not only do they have a somewhat ferocious appearance that vaguely resembles an alligator that is covered with bumps and spines, but their sickle-shaped jaws allow them to inflict a bite that can be felt even by medium-sized animals, such as humans.

Excellent Biological Control Agent

Ladybugs are voracious predators of harmful insects and can thus help protect a wide variety of crops, including vegetables, grains, legumes, potatoes and fruit (including citrus fruits and strawberries). Consequently, they are sometimes actively employed as a biological control agent.

Perhaps the most famous example was the introduction of one species from Australia into California in 1888 to combat the cottony cushion scale insect, which threatened the then huge California citrus industry. This pest had been accidentally imported from Australia, and a particular species of ladybugs was one of its natural enemies there. The Australian ladybugs brought the scales under control soon after their arrival and thus saved the California citrus industry.

So useful are ladybugs, in fact, that they are available commercially from nurseries, pest control suppliers, etc. They can even be ordered over the Internet.

Man Birds?

Ladybugs acquired their interesting name in Europe during the Middle Ages. Farmers there referred to them as "Beetles of Our Lady" when they came and ate the pests that were devouring their crops seemingly in response to their prayers to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus in the Christian religion.

For answers to some frequently asked questions about ladybugs, be sure to check out our FAQ page. Because of their popularity, there is a great deal of information about ladybugs on the web, some of the best of which are listed on our links page.

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