Ladybug Life Cycle

As is the case with all beetles and most insects in general, ladybugs have a life cycle that consists of four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. For many species, particularly northern ones, there is one generation per year.

Each of the first three stages ranges in duration from one to three weeks, depending on the weather and food supplies. The adult stage lasts from three to nine months, according to the weather, the length of hibernation and the availability of food.

As soon as they hatch, the larvae begin non-stop feeding. During this stage they shed their skins several times as they grow, with the number of sheds depending on the species and the amount of food available. Their coloring is often gray or black with yellow or orange bands or spots.

After an average of ten to 14 days, the larvae attach themselves by their abdomen to a leaf or other surface to form pupae and begin the metamorphosis (transformation into an adult). The pupae can have a yellow-orange or dark color. This stage typically lasts one to two weeks, depending on the species, temperature, humidity and the amount of food consumed during the larval stage.

When adult ladybugs emerge from the pupae, they are in a very vulnerable condition because their bodies are very moist and soft. However, they soon dry and harden. The colors initially appear dull, but they reach full brightness as soon as they dry.

The newly emerged adults soon begin to search for food. They may also mate, depending on the climate and time of year. Their life expectancies range from a few months to more than a year. The more common species typically have one or two generations per year.

Most ladybug species are most active from late spring to early fall if food is available. After aphid populations decline in the summer, the adults migrate to other locations to search for nectars and pollen in order to store fat in preparation for hibernation. They will spend the winter clustering beneath leaves, bark or rocks and in other protected places, including inside of buildings. During this period they are inactive, only taking in moisture.

When spring arrives, the cycle begins again, with the awakened adults dispersing in search of prey, mates and suitable sites for laying eggs. After mating, females will each lay from about two dozen to more than 1,000 eggs over a one to three month period beginning in spring or early summer. The eggs are usually deposited in clusters of up to a dozen at protected sites on leaves and stems of plants where aphids are feeding. The eggs are typically spindle-shaped and about one millimeter in diameter, and they can be cream, yellow or orange in color.

About | Cycle | FAQ | Rhyme | Links