Wikijunior:Bugs/Ladybug
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[edit] What does it look like?
Ladybugs are also known as Ladybirds, Lady beetles, and Lady flies. Ladybugs are small insects that range from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are commonly yellow, orange, or red with small black spots on their wing covers, with black legs, head and antennae.
[edit] Where does it live?
Ladybugs can be found world wide. Ladybugs can be found living in trees, shrubs, fields, beaches, and even houses! Inside homes, they're mostly found on windows, light fixtures and ceilings.
[edit] What does it eat?
Ladybugs normally eat aphids, scale insects, mealy bugs, spider mites, and other harmful plant pests. The female ladybug eats much more than the male, that’s probably why they’re larger than the male Ladybug. Female Ladybugs can eat up to 75 aphids every day, but the male eats up to 40. One larva (baby ladybug) may eat up to 350 aphids during its life span!
[edit] How does it defend itself?
Ladybugs protect themselves by changing their wing color to blend in with nature. They also play dead. The way that they do this is by pulling their legs up in a way “Turtle Style”. This releases blood called “Reflex Bleeding”, which releases a horrible smell making the predator think that it’s dead.
[edit] What stages of metamorphosis does it go through?
The life cycle of ladybugs are: Egg, Larva, Pupa, and Adult. The first three stages vary from 7-21 days each depending on the weather, and food supplies. The adult stage lasts between 3-9 months also depending on weather, but with length of hibernation, food supplies and, the predators. This normally takes up to a year.
[edit] What special behavior does it exhibit?
The Ladybug has an interesting behavior. When they play dead they make themselves bleed. This blood has a very horrible smell and makes the predator think that they ladybug is really dead.
[edit] How does this bug affect people?
They can be considered pests when they get into people's houses but they are also considered useful because they eat aphids and other harmful insects. Some people consider seeing ladybugs or having them land on one's body to be a sign of good luck to come, and that killing them brings bad luck.
