Buggin' Out with Jimena Ham
Arthropod Databook Entry #3: Spotless Lady Beetle (Cycloneda sanguinea)
Ladybugs. The most common bugs out there, aren’t they? They are so common, you could probably draw them without thinking too much about how they look. However, can you believe there's a different version of the iconic red color, black polka dot bug? This version is just pure red, not a sign of those iconic black dots on site! —I remember once when I was younger I had found one and thought I had discovered a whole new species of bug! Now, I’m kinda sad to realize that was not the case. :(
Though, deriving from the topic a bit. Can you believe that there are thousands of different species/variations of ladybugs? According to Back Yard Buddies (backyardbuddies.org), “Some are all one color, some are striped and some are even hairy! There are about 6000 species of ladybird in the world, with around 500 species in Australia. They can range in size from 1 – 10mm.”
Data:
Measurements/Identification:
Adults: Ladybugs depending on the region can have different names or ways people know them as, some people might know them as, (ladybug or ladybird beetle) is ⅙ to almost 5/16 inch (4-6.5 mm) long with the iconic red wing covers—yes, the red part of them, it's not the wings but the things that protect them!
Eggs: They are football shaped and about 1/25 inch (1mm) long. They tend to have an orange to yellow color and are laid in groups.
Larva: UC IMP says that, “The elongate larvae have long legs and resemble tiny alligators up to about 1/4 inch (6 mm) long. They are blackish with orange or yellowish markings.” —Love the fact they compared the legs to alligator’s legs, lol!
Pupae: They revolutionize in pupae? Now that's new for me! —They stick to plant parts and the shape is oval and about ¼ inches (6mm). The pupae change color from pale to black and brown or orange.
Where they live:
They mostly lived in places where the plants are infected by aphids*, which includes field and tree crops, gardens, landscaped, and wildlands*.
What do they eat/collect?
Believe it or not, but ladybugs are more than just pretty bugs! They are very valuable predators of garden pests—I actually didn’t know this! So, fun! This includes things like aphids* and scale insects*, plant materials such as; fungi, pollen, and nectar. There are even some cases where food is so scarce that they eat other ladybugs’ eggs and larvae.
Life Span: ‘According to A-Z Animals’
Lifespan Factors: The lifespan is heavily influenced by food availability, as they can live up to 9 months without food during winter dormancy.
Active vs. Dormant: While they are active for several months during spring and summer, many live for a year by hibernating (diapause) during colder months.
General Ladybug Lifespan: While some species have distinct spots, the general lifespan of 1–3 years applies to most ladybug varieties, regardless of spot count.
Cool Facts:
Ladybugs are called “ladybirds” in European countries. Though different names, they are both referring to the popular red/orange beetle with black spots.
They have a unique defense mechanism, they can emit a foul-smelling, yellow, or red liquid (hemolymph*) from their leg joints to deter predators — almost like skunks!
The pupae can ‘bite’ potential predators by using a special defensive mechanism called a ‘gin trap’*.
Dictionary: (Oxford Languages)
Aphids: A very small insect that is harmful to plants, and there are several types of them which includes; greenfly, insects, worms and many more.
Scale Insects (Coccoidea): A small, sap-sucking bug, where females are often covered in a protective waxy or hard shell (“scale”) and remain permanently attached to a host plant, while males have wings.
Wildlands: A large area of land that has never been developed or used for growing crops because it is difficult to live there, etc.
Hemolymph: the primary circulatory fluid in arthropods and many other invertebrates, acting as a combined blood and lymph system.
Gin Trap: a specialized, defensive, "mouth-like" pinching device found on the abdomen of certain pupae, primarily in beetles (Coleoptera) and some moths (Lepidoptera)
