Ladybugs are native almost to all parts of North America. They are the most loved and used of beneficial insects. Everyone has seen Ladybugs in yards or gardens and made a wish upon a them as a child.
Do not confuse our Ladybugs with the ones that invade people's houses and make a nuisance of themselves. Our ladybugs do not congregate like their bothersome cousins (Harmonia).
Key Benefits
- Kills aphids and spider mites.
- Inexpensive compared to chemical pesticides.
- Won't harm people, plants, or pets.
Protects
- Roses
- Flowers
- Shrubs
- Gardens
- Trees
- and many more
Did You Know?
95% Of all insects are beneficial to humankind.
An adult lady bug can eat about 80 aphids per day.
A ladybug will lay about 1500 eggs during her lifespan. She will place her eggs in the middle of an
aphid colony to ensure her babies survival.
Ladybug babies will eat about 25 aphids per day even in their larvae stage.
Ladybug Life Stages
Adult ladybug lays egg
(5 days later)
The ladybug larvae hatches, it looks like a small black alligator, and will sit on leaves and eat insects.
(17 days later)
The larvae turns into the pupae.
(6 days later)
The young adult ladybug emerges to start the cycle again.
Ladybug Facts:
The ladybug antennae are incredible. They are use for sensing, and must be kept clean.
The ladybug uses its legs to clean the antennae.
The ladybug has two sets of wings.
The exoskeleton elytra, and underneath those wings are the flying wings.
Their colors help to protect them from predators.
Ladybugs are bright colors like red and black, which tells predators that the ladybugs might not be tasty!
Ladybugs will also play dead to protect themselves. They can also release a fluid that makes the
predator go away, just like skunks do!
After the predator leaves, the ladybug returns to her normal activities.
The ladybug got her name from farmers in Europe during the middle ages. The ladybugs helped to
save the farmers crops that were being destroyed by pests.
If we allow nature to do what is intended to do, our gardens, crops, and foods can grow
and thrive in a non-toxic environment, that will feed us and future generations.
