Everything About Ladybugs!

Anatomy of a Ladybug

Size: Most ladybugs are 1/4 of an inch long or smaller!

Elytra: The most well known part of a ladybug is called the elytra. The elytra is hard and shell-like and is usually red with black spots, but there are other colors that a ladybug could be such as orange, yellow, green and even blue! The elytra covers the very delicate wings of the ladybug.

Wings: The ladybug's wings are so thin that you can see right through them.

Pronotum: The pronotum is often mistaken as the ladybug's head. It is responsible for protecting the ladybug's very small head, the two grayish white spots on both sides look like eyes, but actually the eyes are on the ladybug's tiny little head.

Ladybugs can actually retract their heads somewhat under the pronotum much in the same way a turtle does, though not as far.

Antenna: The ladybug also has two antenna used to feel it's way around and to smell and taste things.

Legs: Ladybugs have six jointed legs which also have organs that can smell on them!






















Ladybug Anatomy Poster

The above ladybug anatomy chart is available as a poster. Great to have for classrooms for anyone who loves ladybugs and wants learn more about their anatomy. Definitely worth a look.
Anatomy of a Ladybug (Coccinellidae) Poster  



Ladybug In Slow Motion

In this remarkable ladybug video you get to see the slowed footage of a ladybug in flight. The forewings (known as the elytra) have pulled up, open and forward. The soft underwings which the ladybug actually uses for flight have unfolded and are flapping rapidly back and forth to maintain flight. The ladybugs wings beat at about 85 times per second.




Ladybug Facts
Learn some great facts about ladybugs such as what they are, what they eat, where to find them and much more!



Ladybug Life Cycle
Ladybugs sure grow up fast. Like other beetles they have complex little lives. Learn the phases of a ladybug's life cycle here!



Ladybug for Pest Control
Ladybugs are renowned for their abilities to control a number of pests that eat our plants. Learn the facts about ladybugs & pest control here.



Attract Ladybugs
Learn how to attract ladybugs to your yard or property the natural way. On this page we have some info how to get these colorful little beauties to start showing up in your garden.