Lady Beetles (Coccinellidae)

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Lady Beetles (Coccinelidae)

        This week I am going to talk about Coccinellids. This family consists of lady beetles or more commonly known as ladybugs and ladybirds (in the UK). There are more than 480 described lady beetle species in North America and about 6,000 species in total (Eaton 2007). Adult lady beetles are oval in shape and range in length from 1 to 10 mm. They are dome-shaped dorsally and mostly flat ventrally (ISU 2003). These beetles, like many others, have membranous wings folded underneath their elytra. Adults' lady beetles of some species are brightly colored ranging from yellow to red (Mizell 2000). They can be found with a large number of dark spots or without spots depending on the type. Other species have dark colorations with varying numbers of bright spots like the one pictured below.




Lady beetles are predaceous meaning that kill other insects for food. They often feed on aphids and other small insects. They are able to capture these creatures because of their strong mandibles. There are a few Coccinellidae species that do not feed on other insects but rather plant matter such as leaves. This beetle family is holometabola meaning that the go through complete metamorphosis. They develop from larva to pupa then finally to adults. Lady beetles can be found in temperate regions as well as tropical regions. This insect has been known to be an important biological control when it comes to pests.

They are important because the prey on aphids and other invasive pests. They have often been introduced to nonnative areas, which is where their benefits have been most noticeable. This method of pest control is also good because Lady beetles are relatively cheap. People can buy this insect in large quantities without spending a lot of money. They themselves, however, can also become troublesome. Since some non-native species have been introduced to North America they have become pests, invading homes once the summer season has passed.

These beetles also hold value in culture. They are seen as different spiritual symbols for many different cultures. They have been seen as lucky or signs of love and fertility (Pamela Anne). Because of this common idea many people enjoy seeing these insects and are often likely to release them after they’ve been caught.

        I find lady beetles interesting because of how often I saw them as a little girl. Most of the time I would find bright red ones with multiple black spots but now that I am collecting insects, I’ve found some with different colorations. The most recent lady beetle I found was orange with 3 yellow ringed black bands. It also has a white spot on its head. After doing some research I identified this beetle as a three banded lady beetle. The scientific name for this insect is Coccinella trifasciata. This specific beetle can also be yellow orange with black bands. I found this lady beetle on an oak tree branch most likely near its home. They are often found in meadows, gardens, and shrub like vegetation (Vermont Atlas of Life). This lady beetle pictured is a female based on the black head with 2 pale spots.


 

Eaton, E. R., Bowers, R., & Kaufman, K. (2007). Kaufman Field Guide to insects of North America. Houghton Mifflin Co.

Eric VinjeEric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991. (2022, April 20). How to use and release Ladybugs. Planet Natural. https://www.planetnatural.com/ladybugs-pest-control/

Iowa State University. (2003). Family Coccinellidae - Lady beetles. BugGuide.Net. (n.d.). https://bugguide.net/node/view/179

Mizell, R. F., & Frank, J. H. (2000). Featured Creatures. Ladybugs - Insecta: Coleoptera: Coccinellidae. https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/lady_beetles.htm

Pamela Anne. (n.d.). What Ladybugs Mean – in Love, Luck, Signs, and Symbols – with Chart. Ladybug Planet. https://ladybugplanet.com/what-ladybugs-mean-love-luck-signs-symbols/

Vermont Atlas of Life. (n.d.). Three-banded lady beetle (Coccinella trifasciata) Linnaeus 1758. https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/lady-beetle-atlas/three-banded-lady-beetle/


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