Ladybug (or Ladybird beetle)

Gardens, fields, forests, meadows, agricultural lands, and anywhere there is a significant population of aphids or other soft-bodied insects for them to feed on. They are found worldwide.

Primarily predatory, feeding on soft-bodied insects such as aphids, scale insects, mites, and whiteflies. Some species also consume pollen, nectar, or mildew.

Ladybugs undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Adults are known for their bright coloration as a warning to predators. When threatened, they can exude a foul-smelling, yellowish fluid from their leg joints (reflex bleeding). Many species hibernate during colder months, often congregating in large groups.

Ladybugs are overwhelmingly beneficial insects, especially in agriculture and gardening, as they are natural predators of many common plant pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Some invasive species, like the Harlequin Ladybug (Harmonia axyridis), can outcompete native ladybug species and may bite humans, though usually harmlessly. They generally pose no significant risks to humans.