Description. Coccinella transversalis, or the Transverse Ladybird, is a predatory beetle native to Australia. This species has also been known as Coccinella repanda and Coccinella contempta. Coccinella are found in all Australian states and territories, in India and across south eastern Asia.
The name ladybird originated in Australia. It was changed to Lady bug in America where it was introduced into California to help control pests in citrus orchids. Despite being one of the most loved insects in the backyard they are one of its most voracious predators. Aphids are one of their favourite meals.
The common spotted ladybird is bright orange with black dots on its back. They're voracious predators of aphids, scale insects and mites. Adults will consume 2,500 aphids during their life. The mealy bug ladybird is one of the most celebrated examples of biological control.
Ladybird vs Ladybug
Ladybird beetles and ladybugs are the same insects. The difference is it's called a ladybug in North America and a ladybird in the United Kingdom. Entomologists also consider ladybird being the more correct name for the insect, as it is not, in fact, a true bug but a beetle.
In the USA, the name ladybird was popularly americanized to ladybug, although these insects are beetles (Coleoptera), not bugs (Hemiptera). Now, the word ladybird applies to a whole family of beetles, Coccinellidae or ladybirds, not just Coccinella septempunctata.
The ladybird life cycle goes through 4 stages; egg, larva, pupa and then the adult beetle.
Ladybug and ladybird refers to the same insect, a Coccinellidae beetle. In North America, the insect is primarily referred to as a ladybug, though sometimes it is called a lady beetle. In British English, the insect is called a ladybird.
Ladybirds aren't usually considered to be a common pest. Beloved by children and the subject of nursery rhymes, they're often a welcome sight for gardeners due to their voracious consumption of destructive pests such as aphids.
The ladybug (Figure 1), or ladybird, is the common name given to beetles in the Coccinellidae family. This is misleading because not all ladybugs are ladies; they can be either female or male. It is difficult to determine the sex of a ladybug, but females tend to be larger than males.
Do the ladybirds really carry STDs? Yes - but not in the way you might think. The ladybirds carry a disease called Laboulbeniales which is a form of fungi. It isn't known exactly what effect it has on the bugs but it causes yellow finger-like growths.
Encourage More Ladybirds Into Your Garden
Ladybirds can also be attracted into your garden with pollen-rich blooms. Flat-topped flowers such as yarrow, angelica, fennel and dill are great, along with common companion plants like calendula, sweet alyssum and marigold. Offer ladybirds somewhere to overwinter too.
Many ladybirds are predatory feeding on aphids and, scale insects, they can help keep these insects under control. Other species feed on mildews and a few feed on plants but none cause serious problems in gardens.
The 24-Spot Ladybird is a grassland specialist sporting black spots atop orange-red wing cases or elytra. While some individuals may have twenty-four spots, this number is variable and spot fusion is common, as seen in the individual below with its larger than usual dark markings.
One of the best-loved Australian insects - the brightly coloured ladybird - emerges from hibernation in spring to feed and find a mate.
In large numbers, ladybugs are recognized as persistent pests that can become a nuisance if they breach the windows and walls of your home. Sometimes their secretions can stain walls, rugs, and upholstery.
Adult ladybugs can reproduce for the first time within several days of hatching. Many reproduce more than once over the course of their lifetime. The average lifespan of a ladybug is between 1-2 years.
Once it emerges from the pupal stage an adult ladybug will live for approximately one year. Adult ladybugs are four to seven millimeters long (around one-quarter of an inch).
Ladybugs are beneficial insects that play a major role in keeping down populations of insects that feed on plants. Perhaps most importantly, ladybugs are predators with an insatiable appetite for aphids. A ladybug can eat up to 5,000 aphids over its lifetime.
Ladybugs are carnivores but they avoid eating bloodsucking insects such as mosquitoes and bed bugs. Ladybugs eat garden pests, so they might consume the occasional male mosquito who only feeds on nectar, but as a general rule they do not eat mosquitoes.
The safest and most efficient way you can get rid of ladybugs in your home is simply to vacuum them up, Troyano says. Meaning, use the nozzle of your vacuum or handheld and just suck them up as you see them. Then, dump them outside, ideally away a solid distance from your windows and doors.
Ladybirds lay eggs on plants, usually near aphids or similar infestations. Baby ladybirds are called larvae – they hatch from eggs after 3-4 days. Larvae turn into adult ladybirds after about 3 weeks. Ladybird habitats provide refuge all year round.
Lettuce, honey, and raisins are easy-to-find foods that ladybugs eat. To make it easier for your ladybug to eat, soak a few raisins in water for a minute before putting them into the habitat.