Ladybug Species, Types, and Scientific Name They are Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Delaware and Ohio. Several American states have the ladybird, or ladybug as their state insect.If the predator persists, the insect releases toxins from its “knees.” This is called reflex bleeding. Coccinellids are colored as brightly as they are to dissuade predators, not to delight humans.Ladybirds that go into diapause, the insect version of hibernation, break out of it when the temperature hits 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

If ladybirds form aggregations during the winter, they’ll gather on the south side of a structure such as a tree or a house to get the most sunlight.

The number of spots on the ladybird’s back does not tell its age.

While they are incredibly helpful to the elimination of pests in gardens, an infestation of ladybugs on a farm can be harmful to crops.

The colorful beetles were not introduced to North America until the mid-1900s as a way to control the growing population of aphids.

These insects sometimes go by the name “ladybird,” which came from Britain’s description of it – “Our Lady’s bird.”.

Their scientific name comes from a Latin word that means “scarlet.”.

The average lifespan of a ladybug is just 1-2 years.

Entomologists also consider ladybird being the more correct name for the insect, as it is not, in fact, a true bug but a beetle. The difference is it’s called a ladybug in North America and a ladybird in the United Kingdom. Ladybird beetles and ladybugs are the same insects. They have a rather resilient body, ensuring that they can live in many different environments in North America and Europe. In fact, the number of spots can even differentiate between the many species around today. The typical description of the ladybug discusses the red shell and black spots, but there are many different patterns. The adults and larvae are voracious eaters of aphids.Ladybird beetles, otherwise known as ladybugs, have been to outer space and had no problem catching prey in Zero-G. It can be found in many crops, but is particularly common in gardens and field crops, rather than on trees and shrubs. It is now widely distributed in North America and a common species. The sevenspotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, is the lady beetle of nursery rhymes, an introduced species from Europe. Most states coast to coast between Canada and Mexico. This lady beetle can feed on pollen and nectar in addition to insect prey. Beetles overwinter as adults in leaf litter.Īphids, mites, caterpillars, insect eggs, other soft-bodied insects.Ĭan be found on leaves, stems, and flowers in backyard gardens, crop fields, meadows, and woodlands. Eggs hatch in 5-7 days into larvae Larvae complete four instars over 10-30 days before pupating on plant leaves or stems. Larva: Gray with orange spots on abdominal segments 1 and 4.įemale beetles lay 15-25 yellow oval eggs in clusters on leaves or stems.

There are seven black spots total, three on each wing cover and one central spot at the base of the pronotum. Pronotum is black with large white spots on each side. To identify species, examine characters on both the pronotum, a plate that covers the thorax, and the wing covers, which protect the abdomen, for spot and color patterns.Īdult: Round and red. Like all insects, lady beetles have three body regions a head, thorax and abdomen. Lady beetles are predators as both a larva and adult. These insects are generally called ladybugs or lady beetles.

Coccinella californica