Different types of ladybugs are there

Identifying the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle using wing spots as a guide can be problematic because wing spots vary from species to species. Asian ladybug larvae also have a distinct orange spot pattern as highlighted in the picture. Moving on to another genera shows the limited utility of associating ladybugs with spots on the wing for identification purposes.

In fact, spotless ladybugs are also fairly common species. The Polished Lady Beetle Cycloneda munda , native to the East, and the Spotless Lady Beetle Cycloneda sanguinea , native to the West, account for the bulk of the population of ladybugs that characteristically lack spots on the wings. A handful of other types of ladybugs that lack spots can be found from Texas through the Western United States.

Proper ladybug identification requires matching the facial pattern to the spotless wings. The black eye spot pattern on the neck of the ladybug in the picture is the common pattern for Cycloneda species. As the composite picture on the right shows, some ladybug species also lack the typical orange wings. The top picture in the composite shows a ladybug with black wings and a red or orange spot pattern. North America lists hosts approximately two dozen types of ladybugs in the genus Hyperaspis.

Their predominantly black wings come covered with bright red, yellow or orange spots. The picture might show Hyperaspis postica, a West Coast species. The next two species in the picture move the conversation to types of ladybugs with multiple spots. Picture two shows a species from the Anatis genus. The facial markings serve as the best field identification clue. The eye-spotted species, for example, have distinct eye rings around their spots.

The larvae can also be covered with red, green, blue or yellow spots. As the larva develops it sheds its skin. This happens around 4 times over a 6 week period. During this development period the larva attaches itself to a suitable stem or leaf where it develops into pupa.

The pupal stage lasts for around 2 weeks. One of the least active stages of the life cycle, this is when the metamorphosis process happens. After the pupal stage, adult ladybirds emerge. Initially bright yellow in color, over the first few hours the more distinctive colors and patterns develop. During these first few hours the wing casing also hardens. Adult ladybirds can start laying fresh eggs within a week of mating, as long as there is a plentiful supply of food.

If food is scarce it can take up to 9 months before any eggs are produced. Another important part of the life cycle is hibernation. Many types of ladybugs regularly hibernate in large groups each winter. It is not uncommon for the insects to reuse the same hibernation spot year after year. To help your local ladybirds out, when preparing your garden for winter, avoid cutting back all the stems.

Allowing some to remain in place until the spring provides a shelter for many different insects. Ladybirds tend to hibernate together amongst old twigs and sticks.

Building a bug hotel also provides somewhere for the insects to overwinter. Make sure you include lots of hollow stems or cosy corners. Easy to assemble, and a great project for children, the kits are designed to provide a safe home for all types of ladybugs throughout the winter months. Almost all types of ladybugs are great for keeping aphids at bay. Encouraging them to your garden protects crops without the need to use any potentially harmful insecticides and pesticides.

These beneficial insects are particularly effective when working alongside companion planting. Both beneficial insects and companion planting are particularly effective in vegetable gardens. While there are many different types of ladybugs they all tend to favor similar habitats and conditions.

Many of these areas introduced the insects to act as a natural form of pest control. Most types of ladybugs feed on aphids. The first few larva hatchings have been known to eat the unhatched ladybird eggs.

This gives them enough energy to survive until a plentiful supply of aphids are found. All types of ladybugs are omnivorous insects. This means that they can feed on grasslands, includings pastures, fields, gardens and shrubs. Ladybirds favour this sort of foliage more than bushes and trees. Some ladybirds also feed on fungal growth. As well as nettles there are a number of plants that most types of ladybugs are attracted to, planting one or a few of these in your garden helps to attract the insects.

Popular companion plants such as marigolds , sweet alyssum and calendula are also good choices. In many cultures, ladybugs are considered good luck.

Most people like them because they are pretty, graceful, and harmless to humans. But farmers love them because they eat aphids and other plant-eating pests.

Most ladybugs have oval, dome-shaped bodies with six short legs. Depending on the species, they can have spots, stripes, or no markings at all.

Seven-spotted ladybugs are red or orange with three spots on each side and one in the middle. They have a black head with white patches on either side. Ladybugs can thrive in many different habitats, including grasslands, forests, cities, suburbs, and along rivers. When threatened, Asian lady beetles release a stinky yellow that can stain surfaces and trigger allergic reactions. While it's very rare, Asian lady beetles can infest dogs' mouths.

If a dog happens to snap up some beetles, the insects may attach themselves to the roof of your pet's mouth. This won't always mean a trip to the emergency vet, though the beetles will usually need to be pried off. If swallowed, the insects can irritate a dog's gastrointestinal tract and in extreme cases, can be fatal, so make sure to keep your pets away from Asian lady beetles and check their mouths periodically.

The best way to keep Asian lady beetles out of your home is by sealing and patching potential entrance points. Close up any gaps around windows , doors, and siding to minimize risk. The good news is that if they do get into your home, Asian lady beetles won't reproduce indoors and will make their exit in spring. To get rid of Asian lady beetles in your home, your best bet is to vacuum them up and empty the vacuum when you're done.

Contain them in a sealed bag before tossing into the trash so they can't crawl out. Avoid using pesticides because, in addition to exposing yourself to toxic chemicals, large numbers of dead beetles in your walls may attract other pests.