Coleoptera: Coccinellidae
Identification
• Most adults have an orange body (many with black spots) and black
pronotum (top of 1st segment of thorax) with white lines.
• Immatures are blue or black with orange spots, tapering bodies, and
are 1/4 - 1/2 inch long.
Host Range
• Lady beetles (both adults and larvae) eat aphids, scale insects,
mealy bugs, mites, and insect eggs.
Life Cycle
• They have complete metamorphosis and the life cycle takes about 1
month from egg to adult.
Related Species
• This family has many species. The pink and black Coleomegilla
maculata is very common. Also, several recently introduced species,
such as the Halloween lady beetle and seven-spotted lady beetle, are commonly
seen.
Other information
• Lady beetles are one of the more important naturally occurring predators.