Coccinellidae is a family of beetles, known variously
as ladybirds or ladybugs (North America).
Scientists increasingly prefer the names ladybird beetles
or lady beetles, as these insects are neither birds nor bugs.
Lesser-used names include ladyclock, lady cow, and lady fly.
Coccinellids are small insects, ranging from
1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are
commonly yellow, orange, or scarlet with small black
spots on their wing covers, with black legs,
head and antennae. A very large number of coccinellid
species are mostly, or entirely, black, grey, or brown
and may be difficult for non-entomologists to recognize
as coccinellids. Conversely, there are many small beetles
that are easily mistaken for coccinellids,
such as the tortoise beetles.
Most coccinellids are beneficial to gardeners in general,
as they feed on aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, and mites.
children's nursery rhyme Ladybird, Ladybird:
Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home
Your house is on fire and your children are gone
All except one, and that's Little Anne
For she has crept under the warming pan.
Click on photo for source
Beautiful Video of a ladybug
flying off in Slow Motion!
Most coccinellids overwinter as adults, aggregating
on the south sides of large objects such as trees or
houses during the winter months, dispersing in response to increasing day length in the spring.
In Harmonia axyridis, eggs hatch in 3–4 days from
clutches numbering from a few to several dozen.
Depending on resource availability, the larvae pass
through four instars over 10–14 days, after which
pupation occurs. After a teneral period of several days,
the adults become reproductively active and are able
to reproduce again, although they may become
reproductively quiescent if eclosing late in the season.
Total life span is 1–2 years on average.
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A Great Animation Movie about a misfit ant,
looking for "warriors" to save his colony from greedy
grasshoppers, recruits a group of bugs that turn
out to be an inept circus troupe.
The story of A Bug's Life is a parody of Aesop's
fable of The Ant and the Grasshopper.
What terrific pictures.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThat is so very interesting Anna. We once had a ladybug invasion. It was just terrible. They got in the house, covered the ceilings and walls. There were bugs in our beds, our coffee our toothpaste! We had to vacuum them up every 15 minutes.The invasion lasted about 10 days, YIKES! I have never been too fond of them since then. But, after reading your post, I can have a little more appreciation for the little monsters . In answer to your question on my last post, YES, I have two published Children's Picture books.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenMarvellous and beautiful beetles ! I love the vidéo. Fantastic ! Kisses
BeantwoordenVerwijderenDear Anna
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI found this to be very interesting. Thank you so much for sharing with us all. I very seldom see ladybugs around anymore..
Wishing you a great week ahead.
Penny