Ladybug – one of the few insects that people like, especially children. Once as a child, we caught these bugs and always let go, throwing up.
This bug is not confused with any other: the black dots on the bright red or yellow back immediately catch the eye. Today we learn more about these seemingly familiar, but essentially little-known insects.
Meet ladybug
In nature, we often find red or yellow ladybugs, the backs of which are decorated with black spots. In fact, these cute bugs are very diverse: there are more than 4000 species, and they are all part of the family Coccinellidae.
We used to think that ladybugs destroy aphids, but this is not done by all varieties. Indeed, many feed on aphids and are more common in those plants where their colonies settle. Some species live in the crowns of trees, there are living mainly on meadow grasses, others settle on coastal plants.
Almost all representatives of this group of insects are predators. Adult beetles, and especially their larvae are distinguished by enviable voracity and in countless quantities eat agricultural pests, bringing undeniable benefits to man.
However, there are species-vegetarians, they mainly live in tropical countries, but there are exceptions. There are also pests of agricultural plants. In the far East, Epilachna vigintioctomaculata lives, which harms potato crops. Meets and Cynegetis impunctata, damaging legumes. There is also a Subcoccinella vigintiquatuorpunctata that can harm your plantings.
These bugs are painted brightly for a reason: they warn other predators, in particular birds, that they should not be eaten, they are poisonous. Legs insects have small pores, which are the orange drops of acrid substances with an unpleasant odor.
The life cycle of ladybugs
If you look closely at the plants on which the colonies of aphids are found, on the leaves you can see the clutches of yellow-orange eggs laid by the female of the ladybug. The life of one insect lasts about 1.5 years, and during this time one cow lays up to 1000 eggs. Of them appear gray-brown larvae with orange spots on the elongated body.
If we consider them near or under the increase, they look pretty ugly and look like small monsters. On ignorance people take them for harmful insects and can destroy.
Developing, larvae begin to feed intensively on aphids, grow and pupate. Pupae of ladybirds, reminiscent of the Colorado beetles, over time develop into the adult insect. The whole process of their development takes 40-60 days. With the onset of cold weather, adult insects hide under the bark of trees, in piles of fallen autumn leaves for the winter.
In the life of these bugs, there are some facts, still unexplored by scientists. For example, every year ladybugs make “invasion” in a particular country or area. I myself once had a chance to see such a thing. It was a warm Sunny autumn, and around in the air clouds flying ladybugs came into the house, covered all the Windows. As I now understand – this was their “invasion”. They also like to gather in large groups, often somewhere near the water-on sand or stones.
Varieties of ladybugs
Despite the fact that the species of ladybugs more than 4000, we can meet not so much. Consider the most common and interesting species of these insects.
Coccinella septempunctata
The most common type — Coccinella septempunctata, bug up to 7 mm in length. It can not be confused with others, thanks to the red elytra with 7 black dots.
It is found everywhere in Europe, North Africa and Asia. Destroys harmful insects-aphids and spider mites. Especially voracious larvae, and they do not look like adults cute bugs. The larvae are our main helpers in the garden. One such individual during its development eats from 400 to 3000 aphids!
In order not to confuse beneficial insects with harmful, you should be very careful and observant. Seeing these bugs on plants, watch them, what they do, what they eat.
Adults also have an excellent appetite and eat at least 200 different insects per day. Coccinella septempunctata was introduced to America, where it was not previously inhabited, for pest control of crops.
Rodolia cardinalis
Rodolia cardinalis is a beetle of red color with a black pattern of elytra. It is known for helping to save the plantings of orange and tangerine trees in many countries – in America, France, Algeria and Japan.
Citrus orchards were attacked by the Australian Icerya purchasi and were on the verge of destruction. Rodolia was imported and released into the trees. Females of this species lay up to 800 eggs on the worm oviposition. Hatched larvae first eat all the eggs, and then taken for adult pests.
Adalia bipunctata
Adalia bipunctata lives in the Northern hemisphere. Adult insect up to 5 mm long, has one black spot on the red elytra. Despite its slowness, it destroys colonies of aphids and brings tangible benefits.
Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata
Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata-medium-sized bug (2.5-3.5 mm in length) spherical shape. The color of the back is often bright yellow, sometimes darker, with 17 black dots. It lives mainly in Europe, where it occurs on sandy banks near rivers, meadows and roads. It feeds mainly on aphids.
Anatis ocellata
Anatis ocellata large, body length up to 10 mm. on the red back are black dots surrounded by a yellow rim. The head and front of the back are black with small yellow spots.
Ladybug on the site
How to attract to your garden is a useful and cute little insect? If you use any pesticides on your site, you will have to completely abandon their use. No chemistry! Ladybugs are very sensitive and do not want to live in such an atmosphere.
In the garden you need to create a small area of untouched nature, such as a meadow, where the meadow grass will grow, which should not be mowed. There is no need to rake and remove the leaves that fell from the trees — it will be a very favorable place not only for ladybugs, but also for other useful insects. Under the fallen leaves, among the dying autumn stems of plants will find shelter for the winter, many useful residents of the garden.
But if you still, despite the above recommendations, ladybugs do not want to settle in your garden, you can buy them. Yes, now there are environmental companies that sell these insects, you can just order them.
Release ladybugs in the garden is better in the morning or late at night, when the street is cool and dew. If dew is not, should be sprayed with water plants that you will place their beneficial bugs.
Dear readers, share in the comments-are there ladybugs on your site. What do you do to attract useful insects to the garden?
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