   |
|
Lady Beetle
(John Obermeyer, Purdue University) |
|
|
Common Name: Lady Beetle
Order: Coleoptera Family: Coccinellidae Pest Status: Lady beetles are very beneficial, especially as aphid consumers. Appearance: Lady beetles are small, round, and dome-shaped. The most well known lady beetles have black markings on red, orange, or yellow forewings, but some are black. Life Cycle: In the spring, overwintering adults find food and the females lay their eggs, often near aphid colonies. The eggs hatch in three to five days and the larvae feed on aphids or other small insects. After two to three weeks, they pupate. Adults emerge within a week. There may be five to six generations per year. Where to Collect: In the fall, lady beetles aggregate along the bases of trees, along fencerows, under fallen trees, or under rocks to protect themselves from cold temperatures. One species of lady beetles becomes a nuisance pest because it congregates in and around homes. |
 |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||