Ladybug
Coccinella septempunctata
- Where
- Europe and North America (introduced to many regions)
- Habitat
- Gardens, meadows, forests with aphid populations
- Diet
- Aphids, scale insects, pollen, nectar
- Size
- About 0.2 inches (5 mm) long
- Lifespan
- Several months to a year in summer, overwintering as larvae
- Conservation
- Beneficial insects; no major conservation concerns. Support natural habitats that attract aphid populations for their food source.
Fun Facts
- Ladybugs can secrete a foul-tasting fluid from their leg joints to deter predators.
- Their spots help confuse birds and other predators about which end is which.
- Some species of ladybugs can eat up to 60 aphids per hour!
Learn More
Ladybugs have distinctive red and black coloration with seven spots (though some may have fewer).
They have six legs, two antennae, and a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton.
Adult ladybugs can fly short distances.