Ladybug is a common type of flying insects that can be easily spotted in our gardens. They are known by many other names as well like ladybird, lady cow, lady beetle, mariquitas and lady fly etc.
They can be found in most parts of the world. Most common ladybugs are red in color with black spots but they come in a wide range of colous from gray to brown to blue, yellow, and black.They have different patterns as well like stripes and squiggles. Some of them have no pattern at all.
Quick Facts: –
- Ladybugs belong to the Family Coccinellidae and order Coleoptera. This order includes all the beetles.
- The average lifespan of a ladybug can range anywhere from 2 to 3 years, depending on species.
- Their natural habitat are areas of dense vegetation like forests, meadows, gardens and weed patches.
- There are a total of 5,000 different species of ladybugs in the world.
- Although they have two eyes they do not see very well. They can only see the difference between dark and light.
- The species found in temperate areas usually hibernate during the winter season.
- Their main predators include birds, frogs, spiders, wasps and dragonflies.
- There are total of four stages in the lifecycle of a ladybug. It is a process known as complete metamorphosis.
- Despite their name, a ladybug is not bug. It is a beetle.
- They defend themselves from predators by producing foul tasting or toxic chemicals.
- Ladybugs are a natural form of pest control and they eat plant pests like aphids, mealy bugs etc.
