Sometimes
called Ladybugs, Ladybird beetles or just Lady
Beetles, these are beneficial critters found in most
home landscapes. They feed mostly on
aphids but also
eat scales,
mealybugs and
spider
mites.
There are many
different species of Ladybug beetles in a wide range
of colors but the most common ones have red or
orange bodies with black spots on the wing covers.
The adult female can
lay up to 1,500 eggs during her lifetime. The
resulting larvae are often called "alligator-like"
and bear no resemblance to the adult form. However,
they have voracious appetites and each may eat up to
25 aphids per day. Adults may eat up to 50 each day.
Eating so many aphids
can be both a pro and a con, however. Many people
purchase ladybug beetles to introduce into their
landscapes. Well, this works for a while as long as
there are plenty of aphids to eat. But, when they
have devoured most of the aphids, guess what...the
ladybug beetles take off to find more food. If they
have cleaned up your garden, they will move to
another landscape.
