Ladybird Beetle
Lady beetles, ladybugs, or ladybird beetles are among the most visible and best known beneficial predatory insects. Over 450 species are found in North America. Some are native and some have been introduced from other countries.
The ladybug’s spot tells the species of ladybugs (NOT their age!) Ladybugs only live for about a year, so, for example, 13 spots cannot mean that they are 13 years old.
Ladybugs have been in space! In 1999, NASA sent a few ladybugs into space along with aphids to see how the aphids could escape their predators in zero gravity.
Their brightly colored bodies warn potential predators that it is poisonous, even though these beetles are not. Ladybugs also secrete a bad tasting fluid when attacked which makes them an unwanted prey. When faced with a sticky situation, they play dead.
Like bears, ladybugs hibernate in the winter. They usually come together in large groups and sleep the winter away on mountains and areas of high elevation.