Ladybug or Ladybird Beetle - Phylum, Arthropoda; Class, Insecta; Order, Coleoptera

Eggs are yellow and laid in small clusters often stuck to leaves. The eggs hatch after one week. The larvae have six legs and are very mobile, but do not have wings. They are black with small orange or white markings. The larvae molt three times before pupating. Attached to leaves, stems or rocks, the pupa is orange and black. Before the wings harden, the newly emerged adult is yellow.

Food
Both beetle larvae and adults are active predators eating only aphids and other plant eating insects, such as scales and mites.

Positive
Larval stage consumes large numbers of aphids. Adults also eat aphids.

Negative
Two injurious agricultural species are the squash beetle and the Mexican bean beetle which eat plants instead of other insects.

Where to find
In the spring, ladybird beetles and larvae are common on any plant with aphids or scale insects. Home vegetable and flower gardens that are organic or where no insecticides have been used may be a good place to look. Adults and larvae can be purchased from: Carolina Biological Supply Company, ARBICO, Science Kit and Boreal Laboratories, Ward's Biology.