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 more than 5,000 known ladybug species worldwide [1].

Lifecycle

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

They often lay their eggs near aphid colonies and other prey. This gives the young larvae a better chance of finding food after they 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 can mate and lay eggs once they become adults.

Ladybug Garden Benefits

What are they good for?

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

1. Help Control Aphids

Aphids are an important food source for many ladybug species.

Some ladybugs can eat hundreds or even thousands 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. May Help Pollinate Flowers

Ladybugs are not major pollinators. However, some may help move small amounts of pollen as they visit flowers for nectar and pollen.

3. Help Control Spider Mites

Some ladybird beetles feed on spider mites. However, different species prefer different types of prey.

4. Help Control Mealybugs

The mealybug destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) is a specialized ladybird beetle that feeds on mealybugs [4]. The female lays eggs within mealybug colonies so the larvae have immediate access to food.

5. Help Control Scale Insects

Some ladybird beetles feed on scale insects. These tiny pests attach themselves to plant stems, leaves, and branches and suck sap from plants.

Some ladybugs can help reduce scale insects by eating them and their eggs. 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 ladybird beetles may eat Colorado potato beetle eggs and young larvae. However, they are not usually the main natural enemy used to control this pest.

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 eat about 160 whitefly eggs per day. During its lifetime, one beetle may eat up to 10,000 whitefly eggs and 700 whitefly larvae [5].

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. However, attracting native ladybugs to your garden may be more effective than buying them.

Buying them doesn’t guarantee they will feed because of the stress of moving. Attracting them can make them more likely to stay and find food in your garden.

Below are some ways to attract ladybird beetles:

Plant Nectar and Pollen Plants

Grow flowers and herbs that produce nectar and pollen. Flat, shallow flowers also give ladybugs an easy place to land and feed.

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.

Some gardeners also use plants such as sunflowers as trap crops because they can attract aphids. This may help draw some aphids away from other plants.

Quench Their Thirst

Place a shallow dish of water with pebbles in your garden. The pebbles give ladybugs a safe place to land while drinking.

Be Careful with Pesticides

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

Identifying Ladybugs

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

Many have red, orange, or yellow bodies with black spots. However, some are black, brown, pink, or other colors.

Additionally, they can have spots, stripes, or be plain. They are usually small and round or dome-shaped. Their colors and patterns vary greatly by species.

Ladybugs also have three natural defense mechanisms to deter predators.

• One is playing dead. When threatened, ladybugs may fall to the ground and pretend to be dead to fool their attackers.
• The second is their color. Some predators have learned that brightly colored ladybugs may taste bad or be unsafe to eat [6].
• The third is a foul-smelling fluid that they may release when threatened. The bad smell and taste can help 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, many of these colorful beetles can be helpful in the garden. To attract beneficial ladybugs, grow plants that provide food and shelter.