Ladybugs - A Natural Gardener's Friend

Following Mom in the Morning Sun

Ladybugs, also known as “Lady Beetles” are a welcome insect in my garden.  They feast on unwanted insects such as aphids, fruit flies, thrips, and mites.

Facts:

Ladybugs are colorful for a reason. Their markings tell predators to eat something else.  When threatened, the bugs will secrete an oily, foul-tasting fluid from joints in their legs. They may also play dead. 

Birds are Ladybug’s main predators, but they also fall victim to frogs, wasps, spiders, and dragonflies.

They come in several different colors and patterns with the most familiar in North America being the seven-spotted ladybug with a bright red and black body.  

Seven-spotted Ladybugs are native to Europe but were brought to North America in the mid-1900s to control aphid populations.  

Habitats:

Ladybugs live in many different habitats, including grasslands, forests, cities, suburbs, and along rivers.

Ladybugs are most active from spring until fall. When the weather turns cold, they look for a warm, secluded place to hibernate, such as in rotting logs, under rocks, or even inside houses. These hibernating colonies can contain thousands of Ladybugs.

Visual Appearances:

Ladybugs are small and usually quite round in shape. The color on the wing covers can be yellow, orange, or red and often has small black dots on it.  Some species are even solid black. Ladybugs also have black legs, head, and antennae.

Growth:

Once hatched, the Ladybug larvae eat about 350 to 400 aphids in the 2 weeks it takes them to become fully grown.  When they are fully grown they can eat up to 75 aphids a day!

Ladybugs gather together in large groups to diapause (the insect term for hibernation). This helps them conserve resources and brings males and females together for reproductive purposes.

Ladybugs can survive for up to nine months by living off their stored reserves.

They break out of diapause when the temperature reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ladybugs are most active from spring until fall.

Orange Ladybugs:

Asian Lady Beetles, (orange Ladybugs),can bite. While their bites are generally

not harmful or venomous, they can cause a mild, short-term discomfort.

Superstitions:

In many cultures, Ladybugs are considered good luck.  In England, finding a Ladybug means there will be a good harvest. In Sweden, if a Ladybug lands on a young girl's hand, she will soon be getting married. Seeing a Ladybug with no spots, the Polished Lady Beetle is generally considered a sign of good luck, particularly in matters of love and relationships. Some cultures believe it signifies a coming romance.

Interesting Information:

Ladybugs are the official state insect of Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Tennessee. 

 There are numerous children’s books written about ladybugs such as The Ladybug Who Lost Her Spots, by Marybeth Steven’s, Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth and the Ladybug Girl Series by Jacky Davis and David Soman.

There are also several songs about Ladybugs - “Five Little Lady Bugs” by Dave and Ana and “Ladybug, Ladybug Fly Away Home” nursery rhyme by Judy Hawes.

So all in all I think the general consensus of Ladybugs is that they are adored by everyone!

Sources: National Geographic, San Diego Zoo