10 Benefits of Ladybugs and How to Attract Them

Ladybugs are not true bugs. They are beetles. That is why they are also called lady beetles or ladybird beetles.

Ladybugs belong to the Coccinellidae family. They are insects in the order Coleoptera, which includes all beetles. There are about 5,000 ladybug species worldwide [1].

Lifecycle

Ladybugs go through four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Female ladybugs often lay clusters of eggs on plants where aphids or other prey are nearby. This gives the young larvae a food source after they hatch.

The larvae look very different from adult ladybugs. They are long and often have dark bodies with bright markings. During this stage, many species are active hunters that eat aphids and other small pests.

After growing and shedding their skin several times, the larva becomes a pupa. An adult ladybug later emerges.

The time needed to complete the lifecycle varies by species, temperature, weather, and food supply.

Adult ladybugs may live for several months, and some can survive for a year or longer under good conditions.

Benefits of Ladybugs in the Garden

Many ladybugs are helpful predators, but not every species benefits gardeners. Some lady beetles feed on plants rather than garden pests [2].

1. Help Control Aphids

Aphids are an important food source for many ladybug species.

Both adult ladybugs and their larvae can eat large numbers of aphids during their lives [3].

However, releasing ladybugs when there is no food for them may not work well. They may leave your garden if they cannot find enough prey.

2. Help Control Insect Eggs

Some predatory ladybug species eat insect eggs they find while searching plants for food.

Eating pest eggs before they hatch can help reduce the number of plant-feeding insects in the garden.

3. Help Control Spider Mites

Some lady beetles specialize in feeding on mites. Tiny lady beetles in the genus Stethorus are sometimes called spider mite destroyers because they prey on spider mites.

They can help reduce spider mite populations on plants.

4. Help Control Mealybugs

The mealybug destroyer is a special type of lady beetle that feeds mainly on mealybugs. Its scientific name is Cryptolaemus montrouzieri [4].

Females often lay their eggs near or among mealybug egg masses. This gives the larvae easy access to food after they hatch.

5. Help Control Scale Insects

Some ladybugs and their larvae feed on scale insects and can help keep their numbers down. However, different ladybug species prefer different types of prey, so they may not control all types of scale insects.

6. Help Control Colorado Potato Beetles

Some lady beetles eat Colorado potato beetle eggs. However, they usually do not provide enough control on their own when these pests are numerous.

7. Help Control Psyllids

Psyllids are small, sap-sucking insects that can damage leaves and new plant growth. Some lady beetle species feed on psyllid eggs and nymphs, helping to keep their numbers lower.

8. Help Control Whiteflies

A tiny lady beetle known as the whitefly predator (Delphastus catalinae) specializes in feeding on whiteflies.

One adult of this species can eat about 160 whitefly eggs per day. Over its lifetime, it may eat thousands of whitefly eggs and hundreds of larvae [5].

9. Help Control Lace Bugs

Ladybugs are among the natural enemies that may feed on lace bugs. Protecting these predators can help support natural pest control in the garden.

10. Help Control Other Soft-Bodied Pests

Depending on the species, lady beetles may also eat other small, soft-bodied pests and insect eggs they find while searching plants for food.

Having several types of beneficial insects in your garden can provide better natural pest control.

How to Attract Ladybugs to the Garden

You can purchase ladybugs for your garden locally or online. However, attracting local ladybugs to your garden may be more effective than buying them.

Purchased ladybugs may fly away quickly after release. For a home garden, attracting local ladybugs by providing prey, flowering plants, and shelter may give better long-term results.

Below are some ways to attract ladybird beetles:

Plant Flowers That Provide Nectar and Pollen

Grow flowers and herbs that provide nectar and pollen. Flowers with small, easy-to-reach blooms can give adult ladybugs another source of food.

Flowering plants that can provide nectar or pollen for ladybugs include dill, yarrow, angelica, calendula, chives, feverfew, and some marigolds.

Allow Some Natural Prey

Don’t worry if you see a small number of aphids on some plants. Ladybugs need prey to stay in the garden.

If every aphid is immediately killed with a pesticide, ladybugs may have little reason to remain.

Provide Shelter

Give ladybugs places to hide by growing a variety of plants and avoiding an overly bare garden.

Ground covers, low-growing plants, and protected areas can give beneficial insects places to shelter from harsh weather and predators.

Be Careful with Pesticides

Many pesticides, including some natural products, can harm ladybugs and other helpful insects. Avoid spraying them directly, and use pesticides only when necessary.

Identifying Ladybugs

Ladybugs come in many colors and patterns. Some are red, orange, or yellow with black spots. Others may be black, brown, or even pinkish. Some have spots, while others have stripes or no markings at all.

Adult ladybugs are usually small and have round or oval, dome-shaped bodies.

Multicolored Asian lady beetles are also members of the lady beetle family. They can be helpful predators outdoors but may become a nuisance when large numbers enter homes. Their color and number of spots can vary, so identification is important.

Ladybug larvae look very different from the adults. They are long rather than round and often have dark bodies with orange, yellow, or red markings.

Do not mistake these larvae for pests. Many ladybug larvae are active hunters that eat aphids and other small insects.

Ladybugs also have several ways to protect themselves from predators.

When threatened, some ladybugs may drop from a plant and stay still. This can make it harder for a predator to find or attack them.

Their bright colors can also serve as a warning. Some predators learn that brightly colored ladybugs taste bad and are better left alone [6].

Ladybugs may also release a yellowish, bad-tasting fluid from their leg joints when threatened. This defense is called reflex bleeding. The bad smell and taste can discourage predators.

See also: How to Get Rid of Asian Lady Beetles

Takeaway

Ladybugs can be valuable helpers in the garden. Many species eat aphids and other small pests that feed on plants.

Instead of relying on purchased ladybugs, make your garden inviting to local lady beetles by growing flowering plants, allowing some natural prey, providing shelter, and limiting pesticide use.