Ladybug (or Ladybird beetle)

Natural Habitat

Gardens, agricultural fields, meadows, forests, and often found indoors during colder months. They are widespread globally.

Diet & Feeding

Primarily predatory, feeding on soft-bodied insects like aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, whiteflies, and mites. Some species may also consume pollen or nectar, and a few are herbivorous.

Behavior Patterns

Ladybugs undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Adults are known for their distinctive dome-shaped bodies and often bright coloration, which serves as a warning to predators. They are generally active during the day and can overwinter in large aggregations, often seeking shelter in homes or other protected areas.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits: Ladybugs are highly beneficial insects, widely used as biological control agents against agricultural pests, helping to protect crops and gardens from damage by aphids and other sap-feeding insects. Risks: Some invasive species, like Harmonia axyridis (Harlequin ladybug), can outcompete native ladybug species and may occasionally bite humans (though not harmful) or be a nuisance when they overwinter indoors in large numbers. Herbivorous species can be minor plant pests.

Identified on: 10/18/2025