One of the destructive ladybugs is the Mexican bean beetle Epilachna varivestis that feeds on bean plants. Another type of pest is the Asian lady beetle Harmonia axyridis which is in the ladybug classification of Coccinellidae. In this article, you will learn about the various types of ladybugs. You will also learn how to tell apart ladybugs from the Asian lady beetle which many people consider to be an invasive pest.
The life-cycle of ladybug insects starts as larvae that hatch from eggs. These larvae gorge on aphids which is one of the reasons they are so useful in pest control. Then, the larvae form into a pupa which is usually yellow in color with black markings. After a few days, an adult ladybug beetle emerges and starts feeding on small insects.
The majority of ladybug species are harmless and are good for your garden. The Convergent ladybug is the most common type of ladybug in North America. The Convergent ladybug or lady beetle is the most common native species found in North America.
Convergent ladybug has a dark orange oval body with 12 black spots of varying sizes on its dome-shaped back.
This ladybug species measures between 4 and 7 mm. Convergent ladybugs are popular to help control aphid populations, which is their main food source, as well as whiteflies and other insects. The California ladybug is a type of lady beetle that has a red domed back without any black spots.
The identifying feature of California ladybug is the black line running down the middle of its back. Its head is mostly black and may have a white spot on either side.
The seven-spotted ladybird is common in Europe. The seven-spotted ladybird is one of the most common native ladybirds you will find in Europe. This is sometimes called C-7 for short. Despite being common in Europe, the C-7 has been successfully introduced into states in the US.
This type of ladybird has 7 spots on its back. There are 6 of similar size on either side of its wing covers and a larger black spot on the middle just behind the pronotum. The C-7 ladybug has a black head similar to the California ladybug.
The seven-spotted ladybird is one of the larger varieties with adult ones measuring up to 10 mm long. The spot ladybug is a type of ladybug that prefers to eat mildew grown on shrubs. The spot ladybug is a striking type of ladybird due to its bright yellow color.
As its name suggests, there are 22 spots on this small species of lady beetle and it also has 5 spots on its pronotum. The spot ladybug is one of the smaller types of beetles in the Coccinellidae family measuring only 5 mm.
Unlike other aphid-consuming ladybugs, the spot ladybug prefers to eat mildew that grows on shrubs. Cardinal ladybird is a small type of ladybug. This is also a small type of ladybug because adults only grow to between 2 to 4 mm in length. Native to Australia, the Cardinal ladybug feeds on aphids, small mites, and scale insects. It has been used successfully in Australia and California to control mite infestations in orchards.
The pink spotted lady beetle helps control the Colorado potato beetle. The pink spotted lady beetle is also called the twelve-spotted lady beetle. Unlike other ladybugs, the pink spotted lady beetle has a somewhat oblong body rather than an oval one. Type keyword s to search.
Today's Top Stories. The 10 Best Plants for Fall Color. Asian Lady Beetle Killer. See the M? On normal ladybugs, that entire section is black. BobGrif Getty Images. One ladybug can eat up to 5, insects in its lifetime! Most ladybugs have oval, dome-shaped bodies with six short legs. Depending on the species, they can have spots, stripes, or no markings at all.
Seven-spotted ladybugs are red or orange with three spots on each side and one in the middle. They have a black head with white patches on either side. Ladybugs are colorful for a reason.
Their markings tell predators: "Eat something else! I taste terrible. They may also play dead. Birds are ladybugs' main predators, but they also fall victim to frogs , wasps, spiders, and dragonflies. Ladybugs lay their eggs in clusters or rows on the underside of a leaf, usually where aphids have gathered. All rights reserved.
Common Name: Ladybugs. Scientific Name: Coccinellidae. Type: Invertebrates. Diet: Omnivore. Size: 0. Size relative to a paper clip:. This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo. Share Tweet Email. Go Further. Animals Climate change is shrinking many Amazonian birds.
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