LADYBIRD BEETLE Coccinella septempunctata

Ladybird beetles are commonly known as Ladybugs and are among the most beneficial insects in the garden. Ladybug beetles feed on aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, or spider mites. One lady beetle female may eat 2,400 aphids during her life span. Lady Beetles are so popular with gardeners that they can be purchased from garden stores and commercial suppliers to help control garden pests.

Adult ladybird beetles vary in length from 1.5 to 6.0 mm (1/8 inch to 5/8 inch). They come in a variety of colors. They may be orange, red, tan, brown, gray, or black and spotted or marked with contrasting colors of red, yellow, black, or white. Ladybird beetles often catch the attention of people because of their habit of forming large aggregations in the fall. Adults live over the winter in these large aggregations under leaf litter and in other protected areas. Ladybird beetles become active quite early in the spring and remain active until quite late in the fall.

Ladybird Beetles are common in the U.S. and Canada and can be found in most habitats. Ladybird beetles are often encountered in large numbers in the fall when they are preparing to hibernate. At this time they can be found on a sunny, south or west facing wall or in the leaf litter when one is raking the lawn. Throughout the summer ladybird beetles can often be found in large numbers on the shores of larger lakes. These are insects that have been caught in the water and eventually washed ashore.