Ladybugs
Why are they beneficial?
Ladybugs are great for your yard and garden since they curb the aphid population eating up to 400 aphids per day.1 Not only do they feed on aphids, but other plant-eating insects as well, such as mites and scales.2
Ladybug Biology
The eggs are yellow and laid on leaves in small clusters. The larvae are black in colour with orange or white markings with six legs but no wings at this stage of development. As they mature they transform from yellow to their distinguishable red and black polka dotted appearance. An interesting self-defence characteristic is the secretion of a yellowish fluid from the joints of their legs.3
Where to Find Ladybugs?
In the spring, when the weather starts to get warmer, ladybugs and their larvae can be found on any plant with aphids or scale insects. In the winter, the adults hibernate at higher elevations.4
Ladybug Facts
The most common Ladybug is red-winged with black spots. But they vary in colours from yellow to all black with markings in black, yellow, red or white.
1 Bland, Roger G. How to Know the Insect s 3rd Ed. WM. C. Brown Company Publishers. Dubuque, Iowa: 1978.
2 http://insected.arizona.edu/ladyinfo.htm
3 http://collections.ic.gc.ca/biodiversity/about_insects_behaviour.html
4 http://www.esc-sec.org/whatis.htm#b