Ladybug (or Ladybird beetle)

Natural Habitat

Gardens, agricultural fields, meadows, forests, and other areas with abundant plant life and their prey. They are often found on leaves and stems of plants.

Diet & Feeding

Predominantly carnivorous, feeding on soft-bodied insects like aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, and mites. Some species also eat pollen, nectar, or fungi.

Behavior Patterns

Ladybugs undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Adults are known for their distinctive dome-shaped bodies and often bright coloration. They are active during the day. Many species overwinter in large aggregations in sheltered locations.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial insects, especially in agriculture and gardening, as biological control agents against plant pests. They pose no significant risks to humans, though some invasive species (e.g., Harmonia axyridis, the Asian lady beetle) can bite if they feel threatened and may overwinter indoors in large numbers, sometimes staining surfaces with their defensive fluid.

Identified on: 9/18/2025