How many black dots are on the elytra of the most numerous. What determines the number of dots on the back of a ladybug? Where does this insect live?
These bugs, familiar to everyone from childhood, as well as their larvae, are natural enemies of aphids. Every self-respecting gardener should know about the stages of development and living conditions ladybugs. The material in this article will help fill the gaps in knowledge.
Of the 5,000 members of the family Coccinellidae, to which ladybugs or coccinellids belong, only 100 species live in Europe. Climatic conditions and the availability of food have a significant impact on the development of these bugs, their growth rate, and increase in number. Ladybugs need warmth, so most of these insects prefer tropical or subtropical climates. In colder climates, cows lead an active lifestyle on warm days; during cool periods, they are less mobile - they fly more slowly and less.
Contrary to popular belief, the number of dots on the elytra of ladybugs does not determine the age of these insects. But by their color and shape one can only understand whether an individual belongs to a particular species.
Most common types of ladybugs :
Ocellated ladybird (Anatis osellata) 8–10 mm long, yellow-red elytra with twenty black dots framed by light edges, found in pine forests and forests, on garden trees, feeds on lice eaters.
Seven-spotted ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) - everyone known species, length 5–9 mm, common in Central Europe, feeds on aphids, not found on trees.
The ten-spot ladybird (Adalia decimpunctata) has a length of 3.5–5 mm, the elytra are dark brown or dark red, each with five black spots, the most active view, which destroys aphids, hunts for aphids in trees, shrubs, and meadows.
The fourteen-spot ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata), its length is 3.5–4.5 mm, has over 100 various forms, elytra red or yellow with fourteen dark spots, feeds different types aphids.
The dotted ladybug (Stethorus), 1.3–1.5 mm long, has black elytra covered with hairs, yellow legs and antennae, preys on spider mites, and lives on fruit and deciduous trees.
Chilocorus bipustulatus and kidney-shaped Chilocorus renipustulatus, have a length of 3.3–4.5 mm and 4.5–5.7 mm, respectively, both species with smooth black elytra, the adults and larvae of these insects feed on aphids and coccids.
The ladybug Clitostethus arcuatus, 1–2 mm long, has brown elytra with two dark spots framed by light edges, the elytra are covered with hairs, and hunts whiteflies.
Tree synharmonia (Synharmonia oblongoguttata), 5 mm long, has red and pink elytra with eight rectangular black spots, destroys aphids on fruit and deciduous trees.
The streak-spotted ladybug (Neomysia oblongoguttata) has a length of 7–9 mm, black elytra with numerous yellow spots, and preys on aphids that attack coniferous trees.
The ladybug is twenty-two-spotted, up to 4 mm long, the elytra are lemon-yellow with eleven black dots on each, does not eat aphids, feeds on mealy fungi on bushes, trees, meadow plants, vineyards.
Most ladybugs feed on different types of aphids, but there are individuals that prefer only certain types of these pests. In search of food, cows can travel considerable distances. Adult beetles eat up to 150 aphids per day. Some feed on scale insects mealybugs, spider mites, whiteflies. A small number of ladybugs eat fungal spores. In addition to animal food, the menu of these insects includes plants, their pollen and nectar.
Ladybugs reproduce only if there is enough food. Females lay eggs on the underside of leaves; one clutch can contain from 10 to 30 yellow eggs. One female can lay 400 eggs. Clutches of laid eggs are usually located near. Ladybugs that hunt coccids lay their eggs in the body of the pest, under its shell.
A week later, the larvae hatch from the eggs, they have dark color and elongated shape. The larvae must feed well, so the larva of the seven-spotted ladybird is able to destroy 800 aphids. Up to five stages of growth and larval formation occur before pupation, which begins after 3–6 weeks.
The pupae are round in shape, orange or black in color, and are attached to leaves or tree trunks. The pupal phase lasts from four to nine weeks; at the end of this period, yellow-orange beetles hatch with barely visible spots on the elytra.
Period full cycle The development of ladybugs lasts from one to three months. In one year, these insects can produce one or two generations.
Maintaining favorable living conditions for ladybugs on your site is not difficult at all. In the fight against pests of gardens and vegetable gardens, it is better to refrain from using chemicals struggle. Aphids should not be completely destroyed spring period, since this will deprive the adult generation of cows of food.
Availability on personal plot A sufficient number of trees, bushes, and hedges will provide ladybugs with wintering places. Heaps of brushwood, fallen leaves, woodpiles, birdhouses, walls of sheds and other buildings left in the garden can become a haven for an entire colony of ladybirds during the winter.
Based on materials from the site: http://ayatskov1.ru/
One artist once insisted that six dots must be drawn on the back of a ladybug.
Later it turned out that there are more than 1000 species of ladybugs (lat. Coccinellidae) in the world. They live in different places: some liked the plants on which aphids are found (these are apparently the laziest, or better said, pragmatic - food is always at hand), others looked for the indescribable beauty of field grasses, while others liked meadows with a view on the stream, some preferred to sit on aquatic plants.
The most common species appears to be the seven-spotted ladybug (Cocinella septempunctata). Its black breast is decorated with a whitish spot in the anterior corner, and there are seven black dots on the red elytra (three on each elytra and one common scute). It is found in Europe North Africa, Asia and feeds on aphids.
Recently I read about an amazing cow (Ailocaria hexaspilota Hope), the pattern on the elytra of which is truly worthy of surprise and philosophical treatises. This type of ladybug can only be found here in the south. Far East. She first lives on bird cherry, and by the end of May she moves to Manchurian nut. He loves to eat leaf beetles. It is also surprising that flocks of amazing cows accumulate during the wintering period. Imagine how beautiful it turns out!
otvet.mail.ru
Seven-spotted ladybugs are the most common species, whose representatives inhabit the steppes, forests and gardens of Europe, Asia and North Africa, they were specially brought to North America several times to combat aphids, scale insects and other agricultural pests.
Seven-spotted ladybug on a blade of grass. The beetles grow up to 5 - 8 mm in length, their elytra are distinguished by a convex oval shape and a red or yellowish-orange color with 7 black dots: 3 on the elytra and one in the middle near the scutellum. Some individuals may have clearly visible white spots on the front of their heads.
Double-spotted elytra beetles are a typical European and North American species, also introduced to Australia as an effective biological agent. In 1991, the two-spotted ladybird was awarded the title of national insect of Latvia.
Adults are about 5 mm long. The color of the insects is usually bright red, with one black spot on each of the elytra. The pronotum (the segment between the head and the elytra) is black with a yellow border or yellow with a clearly visible letter “M” in the middle.
A species characteristic of Eurasia, the USA and Canada. The beetles, from 4.5 to 7 mm long, are distinguished by an elongated body, orange elytra and 13 black dots, which sometimes merge with each other.
Thirteen-spot ladybird (lat. Hippodamia tredecimpunctata). Fourteen-spotted ladybird
Representatives of the species are widespread in Europe, Asia and Africa. Insect elytra can be painted in two color variations: black spots on a yellow background and vice versa. The number of dots is always constant and amounts to 14 pieces, some of which merge and form a bizarre, characteristic pattern with clear geometry.
Fourteen-spotted ladybug (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata). Alfalfa twenty-four-spot ladybird
The natural range of these beetles is in Europe and Asia; insects were brought to North America by humans. Unlike most ladybugs, these beetles are not predators, but typical phytophages that prefer to feed on the green mass of plants, especially alfalfa, soapwort and cloves.
A small beetle, 3-4 mm long, colored red with 24 black spots randomly scattered across the elytra.
Twenty-eight-spotted potato ladybug (epilachna)
Another vegetarian among the cows, preferring potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes and melons to aphids. Representatives of the species are found in the Far East, China, Korea and Japan. The beetle grows up to 5 mm in length, and its red wing covers are decorated with 28 black dots.
Twenty-eight-spotted potato ladybug (epilachna).
A member of the family who prefers to live in coniferous forests. The yellow or pale red elytra of insects contain about 10 black spots each, surrounded by a light border. The spots resemble an eye in appearance; they can be clearly defined, sometimes they blur or disappear altogether. Ocellated ladybugs can grow up to 1 cm in length.
Ocellated ladybug (lat. Anatis ocellata). komotoz.ru
Once, an artist I knew, who took my “painting talents” under his wing, insisted that six dots must be drawn on the back of a ladybug. Even at that moment I guessed that this was not entirely true. As children, we even believed that the number of dots on the wings indicated the age of the cow.
Later it turned out that there are more than 1000 species of ladybugs (lat. Coccinellidae) in the world. They live in different places: some liked the plants on which aphids are found (these are apparently the laziest, or better to say, pragmatic - food is always at hand), others looked for the indescribable beauty of field grasses, while others liked meadows with a view on the stream, some preferred to sit on aquatic plants.
The most common species appears to be the seven-spotted ladybug (Cocinella septempunctata). Its black breast is decorated with a whitish spot in the anterior corner, and there are seven black dots on the red elytra (three on each elytra and one common scute). It is found in Europe, North Africa, Asia and feeds on aphids.
According to the ladybug atlas, you may encounter a ladybug with the number of spots from two to twenty-six.
It is curious that this particular ladybug was approved as the national insect of Latvia in 1991 by the Entomological Society of Latvia. She is useful, slow by nature, but this does not prevent her from defending herself well - precisely thanks to appearance and behavior she is so loved in Latvia. In Latvian it is called marite, which is the name of the Latvian ancient deity Mara, who embodies earthly power.
And so - with 22 points (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata).
No matter how many dots decorate the back of a ladybug, it is beautiful to the envy of all insects and to the delight of people. Let's pay attention to these wonderful creatures!
www.liveinternet.ru
Where does this insect live?
Of all the species, the most famous is the seven-spotted ladybug. It can be found in all European countries, except for the northern zones. In addition, this bug is found in North Africa and even in Japan.
But in North America, the insect could not bring much benefit. Despite the fact that it was brought to the continent, the red ladybug could not take root. There are only a few species left in North America that do not produce the desired results.
This insect prefers to live in grass groves, as well as in forest plantations, meadows, fields, plains and ravines. Exactly at autumn period ladybugs form large columnar flocks. The number of accumulated insects reaches several thousand.
Description of this species, developmental features
Initially, the ladybug has the appearance of a larva, the size of which does not exceed 1 mm. It only takes her one month to switch to new level development.
Then it already has a size of 8 to 10 mm. The body of the larvae is usually gray in color, but the head is yellow. The spots on the sides of this insect are also of the same color. The body has segments on which black spines with hairs can be seen.
In order to get food, such a larva can climb to a height of up to 12 m. During the day, to be full, it needs to absorb about 100 adult aphids or 300 of its larvae. After a month, the larva enters the pupal stage. It takes about 12 days for a ladybug to fully develop and mature. But it all depends on the air temperature: the warmer it is, the faster the pupa will turn into an adult ladybug.
Description of the adult
The body, wings and abdomen of an adult insect are black. The wings are mainly red or orange in color with spots characteristic of this insect (7 points). For this reason, the seven-spotted ladybug was named so. Three dots are on one red wing, and the same number on the second. But the 7th spot can be seen near the beetle’s head.
Adult ladybugs begin to appear outside in the first half of June, when it begins to warm up. In places where the heat comes faster, you can find ladybugs in May.
They eat aphids and can eat up to 60 adult pests in a day. A ladybug lives from several months to two years. The description of the larvae indicates that for growth and rapid development they eat much more aphids than adults.
Reproduction
A female ladybug can lay about 1,000 eggs throughout her life stage.
The eggs of these insects are oval. They measure up to 1.2 mm. The color of the laid eggs is orange. The shape of the masonry generally looks like a small pile. At one time, an adult female can lay from 20 to 90 small eggs. Basically, such masonry is located in safe places, that is, under leaves, blades of grass, at the base of branches.
A large number of ladybugs can be observed precisely at the end of summer, when two generations of beetles have already hatched and developed. The larvae do not overwinter, since only adults can survive this period.
What types of ladybugs are there?
More than 4 thousand types are known. Ladybug species are divided into 7 subfamilies. Of these, the most interesting and popular types are distinguished:
Ladybug 2-point;
7-point;
12-spot ladybug;
13-point;
14-spot ladybug;
17-spot ladybug;
Asian ladybug.
What does this insect eat and what benefits does it bring to humans?
The seven-spotted ladybug is a predator. Moreover, at any stage of its development, it feeds exclusively on other bugs. It mainly eats various types of aphids, which live on all kinds of plants and trees. In addition, the bug eats the eggs of other insects: etc.
This beetle can most often be observed on fruit trees, currant bushes, as well as on pine, aspen and bird cherry. The presence of such plants in the regions of our country indicates a large number of these insects.
What do gardeners think about the seven-spotted ladybug? How to attract this insect?
Is the seven-spotted ladybug a pest or not? Many gardeners, of course, will answer no. Thanks to this small insect, it is possible to preserve a significant amount of the crop. Aphids, which eat and damage many plants, are the ladybug's most important food source.
Those people who prefer not to use for their plants chemical compositions to destroy pests, they believe that the best assistant will be the ladybug. But in order for the benefits of this insect to be more tangible, you need to maintain appropriate conditions in your area for the comfortable life of these red insects. To do this, you should not destroy all aphids in the spring, and especially resort to harmful chemicals, because then the ladybug will not fly. It is better to leave a few aphids so that our insect can eat. This will attract ladybugs and they will stay in your area for a long time. long time, helping to fight numerous pests.
labrys.ru
Why was the beetle nicknamed ladybug?
Coccinellid beetles are more commonly called ladybugs, and different nations world, their naming, one way or another, has a divine meaning.
— Poland, Russia, Romania, Lithuania.
Moses' cow - Israel.
St. Anthony's Cow (Vaquita de San Antonio) - Argentina.
Beetle of the Holy Virgin Mary (“Marienkaefer”) - Germany, Austria, Switzerland.
Chicken of God (“Roulette a Dieu”) - France.
Bird of the Virgin Mary - United States of America, Canada, England.
Because there is no clear answer to this question. Let's try to find out why this is so by building a logical chain.
The origin of the word “ladybug” may be associated with the protective functions of this insect, namely, with its biological property of releasing a toxic liquid from its legs - yellow milk, which serves as a deterrent for those who want to feast on this divine animal. It was this milk that could serve as an analogy for calling a bug a cow.
But where does different cultures of the world come from such love and reverent attitude towards ladybugs? We can all remember stories from childhood that you should not offend a ladybug, and if you meet one, you need to put it on your palm and say a cute little poem: “Ladybug, fly to heaven, bring us bread, black, white, but not burnt.” or “Ladybug, fly to the sky, your children are there, eating candy - everyone has one, but you don’t have one!”, and then you just had to blow on the bug and it would take off. And indeed, it took off!
So, this can be explained by the fact that ladybug very useful for people, as it saves crops from the main pest - aphids. The ladybug is a predator and can land more than two hundred insects in 1 day. So people noticed that where there are a lot of ladybugs there is always a rich harvest and they considered her a messenger of God, hence the name.
Do you also remember how they told us that by the number of dots on the back of a ladybug we can determine how old it is? This was a misconception. In fact, ladybugs live from several months to 1 year and rarely live beyond two years. But their points on the back determine their appearance, they are called 2-point, 7-point, 27-point, etc.
poznavatelno.net
In chapter Animals, Plants to the question How many dots are there on the back of a ladybug? given by the author philosophical the best answer is There are more than 1000 species of ladybugs (lat. Coccinellidae) in the world. They live in different places: some liked the plants on which aphids are found (these are apparently the laziest, or better said, pragmatic - food is always at hand), others looked for the indescribable beauty of field grasses, while others liked meadows with a view on the stream, some preferred to sit on aquatic plants.
The most common species appears to be the seven-spotted ladybug (Cocinella septempunctata). Its black breast is decorated with a whitish spot in the anterior corner, and there are seven black dots on the red elytra (three on each elytra and one common scute). It is found in Europe, North Africa, Asia and feeds on aphids.
According to the ladybug atlas, you may encounter a ladybug with the number of spots from two to twenty-six.
This is what a two-spotted ladybug (Adalia bipunctata) looks like.
It is curious that this particular ladybug was approved as the national insect of Latvia in 1991 by the Entomological Society of Latvia. She is useful, slow by nature, but this does not prevent her from defending herself well - it is precisely because of her appearance and behavior that she is so loved in Latvia. In Latvian it is called marite, which is the name of the Latvian ancient deity Mara, who embodies earthly power.
And so - with 22 points (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata).
an amazing cow (Ailocaria hexaspilota Hope), the pattern on the elytra of which is truly worthy of surprise and philosophical treatises. This type of ladybug can only be found here in the south of the Far East. She first lives on bird cherry, and by the end of May she moves to Manchurian nut. He loves to eat leaf beetles. It is also surprising that flocks of amazing cows accumulate during the wintering period. Imagine how beautiful it turns out!
No matter how many dots decorate the back of a ladybug, it is beautiful to the envy of all insects and to the delight of people. Let's pay attention to these wonderful creatures! 
22oa.ru
Later it turned out that there are more than 1000 species of ladybugs (lat. Coccinellidae) in the world. They live in different places: some liked the plants on which aphids are found (these are apparently the laziest, or better to say, pragmatic - food is always at hand), others looked for the indescribable beauty of field grasses, while others liked meadows with a view on the stream, some preferred to sit on aquatic plants.
The most common species appears to be the seven-spotted ladybug (Cocinella septempunctata). Its black breast is decorated with a whitish spot in the anterior corner, and there are seven black dots on the red elytra (three on each elytra and one common scute). It is found in Europe, North Africa, Asia and feeds on aphids.
According to the ladybug atlas, you may encounter a ladybug with the number of spots from two to twenty-six.
This is what a two-spotted ladybug (Adalia bipunctata) looks like.
It is curious that this particular ladybug was approved as the national insect of Latvia in 1991 by the Entomological Society of Latvia. She is useful, slow by nature, but this does not prevent her from defending herself well - it is thanks to her appearance and behavior that she is so loved in Latvia. In Latvian it is called marite, which is the name of the Latvian ancient deity Mara, who embodies earthly power.
And so - with 22 points (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata).
Recently I read about an amazing cow (Ailocaria hexaspilota Hope), the pattern on the elytra of which is truly worthy of surprise and philosophical treatises. This type of ladybug can only be found here in the south of the Far East. She first lives on bird cherry, and by the end of May she moves to Manchurian nut. He loves to eat leaf beetles. It is also surprising that flocks of amazing cows accumulate during the wintering period. Imagine how beautiful it turns out!
No matter how many dots decorate the back of a ladybug, it is beautiful to the envy of all insects and to the delight of people. Let's pay attention to these wonderful creatures!
Ladybug (lat. Coccinellidae) belongs to the family of beetles, a type of arthropod, a class of insects. When a person sees an insect, he involuntarily has a reaction - to slam it down as quickly as possible, but the ladybug evokes sympathy in almost everyone, even women. Some remember the children's song associated with her, others remember that she really helps them out. summer cottage– saves the garden from pests. What is the secret of everyone’s sympathy for this beetle? In some cultures it is forbidden to kill a ladybug, and in the Western part it is generally considered a symbol of good luck. Let's consider the characteristics and lifestyle of this insect, as well as the benefits and harms it can bring.
Today, no more than 200 insect formations have been studied on the planet, but the number of species is limitless. The ladybug is a representative of the coccinellid family, has over 4000 types and 360 genera, belongs to the order Coleoptera of the arthropod type. Distinctive feature from other relatives they have seemingly three-part paws. This is due to the small third segment, which is visually hidden with half of the fourth pedicle in the sinus of the bilobed process.
The average size of a ladybug is from 4 mm to 10 mm. The structure of the body is rounded, ovoid, flattened below and convex above. Sometimes the surface is covered with thin fibers. Consists of a head, pronotum, and chest, which is divided into three parts:
- paws;
- abdomen;
- wings with wing covers.
The head is monolithically connected to the prothorax, everything looks like an enlarged cephalothorax. It makes up the main part of the body length, sometimes found in an elongated oval shape. The eyes are relatively large. The antennae are well flexible and consist of 8-11 segments.
Has rigid expressive elytra. Essentially these are the front flight organs. Over time, the ladybug's wings transformed. On earth they perform protective function. With the help of two rear processes, it flies, and it turns out quite well. Interesting fact is that various birds and many vertebrates hesitate to hunt it. They don’t have time to catch it, because the insect makes about 85 strokes per second.
Why is the ladybug called that?
Where it got its name from remains an open question to this day. The scientific terminology is coccinellida, the word itself comes from the Latin meaning "scarlet". Many ethnic groups have their own versions of names, for example:
- among the Germanic peoples - the “Virgin Mary” bug;
- among the Anglo-Saxons - “Lady bird”;
- among the Slavic - “Sun”;
- among Latin Americans - “St. Anthony’s cow”;
- among Asians it is “red-bearded grandfather”.
There are long-standing legends about why the ladybug is called that, let's look at some of them.
She was personified with the heavenly herd of Perun, connected the omnipotent gods and mortal people, and was attributed to her magical abilities influence the weather. Catholic faith considered her a messenger Mother of God. The British also associate their names with the Virgin Mary.
The ancient Slavs considered her the messenger of the sun. It was impossible to drive away the heavenly creature, so as not to turn away fortune. A beetle that flew into a home was considered to bring peace and grace, so they called it that way - “Sun”. The very word “God’s” symbolized among the Russian ethnic group a trusting believer. The beetle was compared to a harmless creature.
But more likely the word “lady” is associated with a physiological feature of the insect. It secretes milk, but it is far from usual - a red aggressive liquid formed in the spores of the limbs. The discharge is extremely unpleasant and in large quantities is deadly for those who decide to eat it.
Types of ladybugs
The ladybug is not necessarily red, but its coloring is in the form of dots. They may be absent altogether; there may be stripes, patterned spots, or commas on the shell. The most common type is the seven-spotted beetle. It lives almost throughout Europe, its dimensions reach 7 mm, its elytra are burgundy, and there are two spots at the base. light color, one dark one is visible on the pronotum, there are three speckles on the elytra.
They are also divided according to the number of dots and color:
- two-spotted, usually 5mm dark scarlet individuals with 2 large black markings;
- duodenal up to 6 mm, have pinkish elytra, on which 6 pieces are observed;
- thirteen-spotted up to 7mm, with brownish wings;
- fourteen-spotted - with a yellow color and black spots on them or vice versa;
- seventeen-point identical colors measuring from 2.5 to 3.5 mm;
- variable, with a black pronotum with 2 brownish spots, contrasting markings at the base of the yellowish-red elytra;
- blue ones are found on the Australian mainland and have a beautiful tint of blue and green tones;
- white or light gray - up to 15 marks, less common, like brown plain ones.
Bright warning coloration of a ladybug
The ladybug is endowed with a bright color, which helps in the struggle for existence and strikes fear into enemies, most often birds. This is one example of mimicry, like green color grasshoppers or the ability of a chameleon to merge with environment for the purpose of self-preservation.
The striking colors of the natural wild world serve as warning signals about the toxicity and inedibility of the observed prey. There is a theory that what brighter color beetle, the less likely it is to be attacked by enemies. Expressive color various types ladybug speaks of mortal danger. As individuals age, it fades.
Ladybugs live almost all over the world except northern latitudes. Their life cycle depends on the availability of food. The active stage occurs during the extermination of aphids, the main diet of these insects, i.e. from spring to autumn. They live from a couple of months to one year, and occasionally last up to two.
A solitary lifestyle is acceptable to them; they settle in groups for wintering or for mating. They feel comfortable in open areas with grassy vegetation on:
- the edges of the forest;
- steppes, meadows;
- gardens
In search of food, they crawl through plants, periodically flying over long distances. They do this easily and silently. But as long as an individual lives, it always wakes up early and works all day, destroying pests. It is thermophilic, the optimal temperature for it is +10 C, during other periods it spends the winter.
How and where do ladybugs overwinter?
When cold weather sets in, sedentary varieties of ladybirds gather in large groups, sometimes up to millions of individuals. In winter, they look for secluded places, hiding under the remains of falling leaves, dry wood, stones, where they wait for the arrival of warmth. They can fly into rooms and take refuge between window frames, fold curtains, arrange nesting sites among trees.
There are species of beetles that fly away in flocks to winter in southern latitudes. Recently, features of adaptation to the environment have become not only bright colors or toxic liquid released when dangerous. Their group aggregations are becoming more and more observed. This is still inexplicable, but the spectacle is colorful.
If “sleepy colonies” are discovered, do not disturb them. It’s better to think about how many pests will be destroyed in the future. Move them to comfortable place, having previously collected them in a jar, let them calmly finish their hibernation.
What do ladybugs eat? Are they predators?
A characteristic feature of insects of the order Coleoptera is the gnawing type oral apparatus. The ladybug has similar anatomical characteristics. The structure of the digestive system begins with the mouth opening of the head and ends on the abdomen with the anus. The intestinal canal runs between them. This allows the insect to consume complex molecular food with a high energy reserve.
Simply put, the coccinellid is a predator; it eats its own kind. Diet preferences are given to:
- spider mites;
- small caterpillars;
- butterfly eggs, Colorado potato beetles;
- larvae of insect pests.
There is also a species that feeds plant foods: pollen, flowers and leaves, mycelium, fruits.
Ladybugs reproduce several times a year, in spring or autumn. In temperate latitudes this is the beginning of May. The female becomes sexually mature at the age of 3-6 months. As a rule, after a cold period, she is able to emit a pungent odor that attracts males. After laying eggs it dies.
The female places eggs on vegetation with an abundance of aphids, which provides advance food for future offspring. They have an elongated shape, narrowed towards the end, and are colored yellowish-orange. One clutch can number from several to 400 pieces, arranged in even rows, close to each other. Sometimes they can be eaten by their own relatives, the so-called cannibal larvae.
Ladybug larvae - what do they look like?
Further development occurs over 4-7 days and has several stages. There are larvae oval-shaped. They look colorful due to yellow-orange spots that form a certain pattern. Body surface with bristles, peculiar outgrowths. Newborn ladybugs that feed on scale insects are covered with whitish, waxy threads. Everything grows in 2-4 weeks.
After this stage comes the moment of pupation. To move into it, the individual attaches the back of the body to the leaf plate and curls into a semi-bent position. At the end of the internal transformation, the skins peel off from the pupa, sliding like a stocking to the end of the abdomen. It does not lose its bright color with black and yellow specks. Next, from 7 to 10 days, an adult is formed.
The benefits and harms of ladybug
The boundless gluttony of this predatory beetle brings enormous benefits homestead farms, agricultural crops, because it eats aphids. While in the larval stage, the coccinellid consumes up to 50 prey per day. An adult insect eats up to 100 aphids. They help plants by clearing crops of pests. Therefore, they are even bred at specialized enterprises, and then distributed over the fields with the help of aviation.
But harm can be caused by herbivorous species of these beetles; their habitats are in Asia. There they cause significant damage to crops. In our area, some harm vegetables: potatoes, sugar beets, tomatoes and cucumbers.
Enemies of ladybugs
How many species of ladybugs, numbering thousands, would not exist; the insect has long been placed on the pages of the Red Book of not only Russia, but also the planet. They don't have many enemies. Birds, frogs, lizards try to eat them, but innate effective means protections prevent them from becoming food for many.
Indirect factors of extinction are human impact on the natural environment. There is a massive destruction of aphids, on whose populations the existence of the beetle depends. General environmental pollution is also destructive for all animals.
The ladybug is an ancient insect. This is not the only reason why the law protects it from extermination. Mass extinctions will lead to a deterioration in the condition of not only cultivated vegetation, but also the entire nature. To maintain balance, humanity needs to be more attentive to this problem.
Scientists give a clear answer to the question about the spots on the elytra of ladybugs: the number of spots does not indicate the age of the insect, but only indicates its belonging to a particular species. There are more than 4 thousand such species on Earth. Representatives of each of them “wear” a different number of points on their backs, or rather, there can be from 2 to 28. Interestingly, the elytra of insects can be colored like the one we are used to. red-orange color, and, for example, in yellow. And the spots can be not only black, but also white. All these characteristics also depend on the species.
The 7-spotted ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) can boast of the abundance of its species. This insect is found in nature more often than its relatives. The second most common species is the ladybug with two spots on its back (Adalia bipunctata). Representatives of both species are predators and feed on aphids. However, among these insects there are also vegetarians. These include the 28-spotted ladybug, which sometimes causes irreparable damage to potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers and other cultivated plants.
Beetles from the ladybird family are clearly visible on leaves, flowers and grass. Their convex red and black bodies flash among the greenery of parks, gardens and vegetable gardens. The insect's attractive coloration is actually a warning. In case of danger, the beetle releases a poisonous liquid. It is not harmful to humans, and birds do not risk hunting small bugs. Attentive fauna lovers will notice that the pattern on the back of ladybugs differs in the number of dots. The number of black spots on the elytra ranges from 2 to 28. The seven-spotted ladybug is the most common species that is found in parks, fields and gardens.
Morphological description
The seven-spotted ladybug (Coccinellaseptempunctata) is a species found throughout Eurasia. This species is a frequent visitor to gardens and vegetable gardens. Insects live wherever there is food for them - aphid colonies. The body shape of the imago is half a sphere. Convex hard elytra of bright red color. The color is most intense in young adults; it fades with age. Black dots are distributed 3 on each elytra and one common one, located near the scutellum. The length of the imago is 7-8 mm.
Interesting fact. The legend about the origin of the insect's name says that it was sent in response to prayers for help in pest control. The seven dots symbolize the joys and sorrows of the Virgin Mary.
The small head is fixedly attached to the prothorax. The eyes are complex, faceted, of medium size. The head, chest and lower part of the body are black. There are two white spots on the convex, transverse pronotum. The antennae are black and club-shaped. The organ of smell is flexible and mobile. The hind wings are well developed and darkened. Thanks to them, adults fly long distances. Three pairs of legs with claws and bristles allow them to move along grass and stems and crawl along a vertical surface.
Insects have evolved several defense mechanisms. In addition to their warning coloration, the cows pretend to be dead. They press their limbs to their body, fall and freeze. One of the ways to scare away the main enemies (spiders, large insects) is the release of a pungent-smelling liquid from the joints of the legs.
Spreading
Coccinellaseptempunctata is found in the steppe zone of Russia, Siberia, and Primorsky Krai. The insect lives in gardens and parks in Europe, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, Mongolia, China and Korea. A popular species distributed in India and North Africa.
Interesting fact. To control the aphid population, the seven-spotted ladybird was imported into the United States. The insect does not acclimate well to North America. The beetle has taken root only in a few states: Ohio, Tennessee, Massachusetts, New Hampshire.
Lifestyle and reproduction
Insects live separately. They gather in groups only during the breeding and wintering periods. The mating period for ladybugs occurs in late spring and early summer. It is important for the female to have a sufficient supply of nutrients necessary for the formation of offspring. If she hasn't eaten enough, she avoids mating. The male searches for a partner by secreting pheromones.
The fertilized female lays eggs on the underside of the leaves. The location is chosen close to the aphid colony. The eggs are orange, elongated in shape. Each clutch contains up to 50 pieces. The eggs are quite large, 1.2 mm in length, and are fixed in a vertical position. In total, the female lays 250-1000 eggs during her life.
The development time of the embryo depends on the temperature - at 15° it is 4 days, at 30° it is 2 days. The size of the larvae at birth is only 1 mm. Its first food is egg shells and dead embryos. Young larvae suck liquid from the aphids. As they mature, they eat their prey whole. After a month of active feeding, it grows to a length of 8-10 mm.
The elongated, segmented body is dark gray. The head is yellow, on the sides of the chest and abdomen there are yellow spots. The body of the larva is covered with growths ending in black hairs. Movable limbs provide mobility. The voracious larva actively hunts aphids and eats their eggs. The development period includes a change of four instars and three molts. Then comes the pupal stage.
Interesting fact. In 1976, an outbreak of mass reproduction of ladybugs occurred in England. The insects did not have enough food, they attacked everything. Cases of human bites have been recorded, but they do not pose a danger.
Before pupation, the fourth instar larva fasts for a day. It attaches to the plant with the tip of its abdomen and pupates. Doll orange color with black spots. The stage takes 8-12 days, with high temperature goes faster. The shell of the pupa is torn along the back. The young seven-spotted ladybug emerges with soft coverings on the elytra. Her body is not painted. Full pigmentation takes about a week.
Close view
The two-spotted ladybug lives in Russia and throughout Central and Western Europe. The modest body size of 5 mm does not prevent the beetle from being an active destroyer of aphids in fields, gardens and parks. The insect was introduced to Australia for pest control. Ladybugs come in light and dark shapes. The first is tan or red in color, the second is black with red spots. The species is a known entomophage on fruit trees. The beetles prefer aphids that live on apple, plum and peach trees.
In mid-summer, two-spot ladybugs spread to other plants. They can be found on grain crops, grass, and vegetables. Fertile females lay up to 600 eggs. 2-3 generations are replaced per year.
Interesting fact. Two-spot ladybirds are characterized by an abnormal sex ratio. In some colonies the number of females is 70-80%.
Ladybug pest or helper
There are more than 4,000 species of ladybugs in the world. With rare exceptions, they are all predators. But some types of insects feed on plants, causing damage to agriculture. Phytophages prefer to settle in the tropics; in Russia there are 3 herbivorous species: potato or 28-spotted ladybird, alfalfa and pointless ladybird. Is the seven-spotted ladybug a pest or not? The answer can be unequivocal - no. The beetle benefits gardeners by keeping the numbers of aphids, scale insects, whiteflies and spider mites under control. 60-100 aphids are destroyed per day.
Information. Ladybugs are specially bred and used to control field pests. They are dropped into areas where aphids are spreading using aircraft.
Active hunting for pests is carried out from spring to autumn. The lifespan of an insect depends on the amount of food, on average it is 3-4 months, but with good nutrition and favorable conditions increases to 1 year. Beetles gather in large groups for the winter. They hide from the cold under plant debris, in the cracks of stumps, under stones.
Natural enemies
