Ladybug Insect Facts

Ladybugs (Coccinellidae), also known as lady beetles, live only one to two years, but during their life they will consume thousands of aphids, according to National Geographic. Aphids pose a serious threat to numerous fruit trees, shrubs and ornamental plants by sucking the sap of the plants foliage. A beneficial insect, the ladybug helps to protect crops, ornamental plants and garden vegetables from the onslaught of pests. About 6,000 species of ladybugs exist around the world, including 450 in North America. Does this Spark an idea?

Egg Laying

The female ladybug lays her eggs in the midst of an aphid colony. The female will lay hundreds of eggs during her lifespan. The eggs appear yellow in color and are often arranged in clusters. The eggs cling to the leaf or stem beside the aphids so the ladybug larvae have an abundant supply of food when they hatch.

Larvae

Larvae hatch from ladybug eggs in one week. The larvae are black with small orange spots. During their life, they will molt three times as they grow before entering the pupa stage. During this stage the larvae will pupate for 3 to 12 days before emerging from the shell as an adult. When the adult ladybug emerges, it is orange as it waits for its wings to harden. As the wings harden, the ladybug takes on its common red and black or orange and black appearance.

Predators and Defense

Birds often try to eat ladybugs, but the ladybug will emit a foul odor. The bird finds the taste normally unpalatable and immediately spits out the ladybug. Ladybugs also drop from a plant and pretend to be dead in order to trick would-be predators.

Feeding

A few ladybug species feed only on plants and do not consume other insects, but the majority feed on aphids or other pests. Most varieties also consume pollen as an additive to their diet. When the ladybug attacks an aphid colony, the aphids will often drop from the plant's stems and leaves to avoid the ladybug. The ladybug will often fly in pursuit, if there is not an abundant supply of aphids remaining on the plant to feed its hunger. Depending on species, adult ladybugs eat anywhere from 50 to 300 aphids per day, according to Cornell University.

Hibernation

Numerous species of ladybugs hibernate during the winter months. The insects often cluster by the hundreds in protected locations, such as house attics to survive the cold. They will also appear under the eves and windows on the south side of houses during the winter.