10 Benefits of Ladybugs and How to Attract Them

Ladybugs are not true bugs. They are beetles. Therefore, they are also called lady beetles or ladybird beetles.

Ladybugs are in the Coccinellidae family, class Insecta, and order Coleoptera. There are more than 5,000 known species worldwide [1].

Lifecycle

Most ladybugs live for about one year. However, some species can survive for two years or even longer when conditions are favorable.

Yellow, oblong eggs are laid in clusters on the underside of leaves, in or near the colonies of aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Doing this ensures that the larvae have plenty of food when they first hatch.

The larvae feed and grow for 21 to 30 days, after which they pupate.

Adults emerge about 10–15 days later, depending on temperature and species. They are ready to mate soon after.

Ladybug Garden Benefits

What are they good for? Most benefit people, whether they are farmers, gardeners, or ordinary individuals.

Ladybugs are a top eco-friendly pest control option. They eat many types of garden, field, and orchard pests.

1. Help Keep Away Aphids

Aphids are the primary food source for ladybugs.

A single ladybug, from larva to adult, will eat nearly 1,000 aphids over its lifetime [2].

However, you should not introduce ladybugs before seeing aphids because they won’t stay. There won’t be anything for them to eat.

2. May Help Pollinate Flowers

Among the benefits of ladybugs in the garden is their ability to pollinate flowers.

While they are not true pollinators, they may occasionally transfer small amounts of pollen as they feed on nectar and move between flowers.

3. Kill Spider Mites

Some ladybird beetles may also feed on spider mites, especially when other food is scarce. However, they are generally more effective against soft-bodied insects such as aphids.

4. Help Control Mealybugs

The mealybug destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) is a specialized ladybird beetle that feeds on mealybugs [3]. The female lays eggs within mealybug colonies so the larvae have immediate access to food.

5. Help Control Corn Borers 

Some ladybird beetles may feed on the eggs of pests, such as corn borers. This can help reduce early-stage infestations.

However, it’s important to note that this is not their primary food source.

6. Help Control Colorado Potato Beetles

Some ladybird beetles feed on Colorado potato beetle eggs and young larvae, helping reduce populations before they become severe.

7. Beautify the Garden

The ladybug’s vibrant colors and patterned wings add beauty to any garden it inhabits.

8. Help Control Whiteflies

Certain ladybird beetles, such as Delphastus catalinae, are highly specialized predators of whiteflies.

A single beetle can consume 160 or more whitefly eggs per day. It may also consume up to 700 whitefly larvae during its lifetime [4].

9. Help Control Lace Bugs

Ladybugs are among the natural enemies of lace bugs. Use them as part of an integrated approach to help reduce lace bug populations.

10. Help Control Thrips

Some ladybug species may feed on thrips, helping to reduce their numbers in the garden. Release these beauties in your garden to help keep thrips populations under control.

How to Attract Ladybugs to the Garden

You can purchase ladybugs for your garden locally or online, but the consensus is that attracting them is more effective.

Buying them doesn’t guarantee they will feed because of the stress of moving. Attracting them ensures they will feed on what you provide.

Below are some ways to attract ladybird beetles:

Plant Nectar and Pollen Plants

Grow flowers and herbs that have white and yellow blooms and flat leaves to attract ladybugs. The flat leaves provide a landing place, and the flowers offer pollen and nectar to attract pollinators.

Some flowering plants that attract ladybugs include marigolds, angelica, calendula, yarrow, chives, feverfew, and dill. Plant them around the house and garden.

Provide Plenty to Eat

If your garden has very few aphids, consider planting trap crops that attract them. This can help provide a food source for ladybugs.

Trap crops include radishes, kale, mustard, and nasturtiums. Sunflowers can also attract aphids and may help draw pests away from other plants.

Quench Their Thirst

Place bowls of water with pebbles inside and around your garden. The stones provide a place for them to rest while they drink safely.

Be Careful with Pesticides

Synthetic pesticides can kill ladybugs and other beneficial insects if sprayed directly on them.

Also, use natural pesticides with caution. Some natural ones will, at worst, kill them. At best, they will drive them away from your garden. So be careful.

Identifying Ladybugs

Ladybugs vary in color and size, and some are mistaken for other beetles.

They mostly have red, orange, or yellow bodies with black spots, but they can also range from solid black to brown.

Additionally, they can have spots, stripes, or be plain. They are tiny (about 0.04 to 0.4 inches (1–10 mm) long, depending on the species) and round, with black on their heads, legs, and antennae.

Ladybugs also have three natural defense mechanisms to deter predators.

• One is to play dead. When threatened, ladybugs may fall to the ground, playing dead to fool their attackers.
• The second is their color. Helpful predators, such as birds, have learned that certain colors signal an unpleasant taste or that the food is unsafe to eat [5].
• The last is a foul-smelling defensive fluid they may release when threatened. It tastes unpleasant and helps discourage predators.

See also: How to Get Rid of Asian Lady Beetles and Asian Lady Beetle vs Ladybug: Quick Comparison.

Takeaway

Whatever you call them, these cute little beetles are helpful in your garden. Ladybugs are also quite colorful.

To attract beneficial bugs to your garden, grow plants that attract them.