Ladybugs (Ladybird Beetles) come in many colors such as red, yellow, orange, brown, pink, and all black. Sometimes they have spots, stripes, or none at all.
There are 5,000 species of ladybugs in the world and 450 species in North America. Adults have a smooth, dome shape along with six legs, two sets of wings, and females are larger than males.
Ladybugs are good for pest control. Aphids are pests that suck the juices out of plants. Ladybugs eat up to 5,000 aphids in their lifetime. They lay hundreds of eggs in aphid colonies and immediately start eating aphids when they hatch.
Here are some interesting facts: Bright colors and spots warn predators to stay away. They play dead when threatened and can even release a small amount of bad-smelling blood from their legs. Ladybugs hibernate in the winter. Many believe they are an omen of good luck.
Source: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Visit cecolusa.ucanr.edu or ipm.ucanr.edu H
