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Play Ladybugs for free online at Gamesgames.com! Guide the ladybug to the exit house and go to the next level.

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This is a video I created about the life cycle of a ladybug, specifically the seven spotted ladybug. It was created for a second grade classroom (Let me know if you use it teachers! I love to know it's going to good use!).

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1. What do ladybugs eat?
A. Ladybugs eat Aphids. Aphids are soft bodied insects that suck the juices out of plants. If you have roses in your garden, you have seenaphids. Aphids also come in a variety of colors and not all ladybugs like all the "flavors" of aphids. Ladybugs will also feed on scale insects and plant mites.

2. Are ladybugs poisonous?
A. No. Ladybugs are not poisonous to humans. However, they can have toxic effects on some animals. Ladybugs have a foul odor which deters some predators from eating them and their bright colors also help as a deterrent. In nature, red and orange, are warning colors that indicate to another animal or insect that the potential "lunch item" might not be a good choice.

3. Ladybug Infestation! LadyBugs are In my HOUSE! Why?
A. They have probably been hibernating under the sliding of the house or apartment and the warmer temperatures have caused them to emerge- it's just that they are going in the wrong direction. You would think that they would be trying to get out of the house, but they are coming in. It happens. This happens because of the variation in temperatures from the interior of the home verses the outside temperatures. The ladybugs are merely confused. Visit the Ladybug Infestation page for more details.

7. But, I really want the ladybugs out of my house!
A. Use a "shop vacuum". This type of vacuum is easy to use for collect ladybugs. When using this to vacuum up ladybugs, use a clean bag or pad the bottom with a cloth. After all is clean, release the unwelcome guests outside.

9. I have to write a science report on ladybugs. Can you give me more information about their life?
A. You have come to the right place! There is tons of information here at the www.ladybuglady.com web site. Let me show you where to go. First start here; you are on the Questions and Answers page. There is information about the spots, the predators, the things they eat and why the the Asian Ladybug comes into people's houses. Next, you can go to theScience Fair Informationpage. This page has all the Scientific information about a ladybug called Hippodamia convergens. There is info about their wings, antennae, legs, reproduction and more. This particular ladybug is native to all of North America and parts of South America. Next, if you want to see pictures of ladybugs, well, they are all over the website! But you will find most of them here on the Pictures of Ladybugs and Larva page. If you need pictures of what the ladybug likes to eat, go to Garden Eaters. Remember, you can always click on the BACK button at the top of your screen to come back to this page after looking at one of the other pages. Thanks for coming to www.ladybuglady.com Your report is going to turn out great! Good Luck.

After that anything is fair game, including the other larval siblings. You may also notice that the egg cases if left have turned white and dried out. After two days, bring aphids to the larva in the bug box, the smallest aphids possible. And often. Don't add water quite yet. The larva could drown if over sprayed. They will get enough moisture from the aphids. After about four days, you will probably begin noticing the changing. They are growing and shedding the first of several skins. This process is called "in-star". Because insects have an exoskeleton (outside skeleton), when the larva grow, they have to basically bust out of the exoskeleton to get bigger. The soft exoskeleton that is revealed dries and hardens, protecting the larva once more until it has grown too big on the inside once more. This happens about 5-7 times in the larval stage, depending on the species and the amount of food available. After about 10-14 days, the larva will affix itself the a stable structure to begin the metamorphosis, the process by which the larva of an insect completely transforms in appearance into the adult form of the species. This process can take 7-14 days depending on temperature, type of species, the amount of food eaten during the larval stage and humidity. In other words, a lot of varying factors. When the adult ladybug emerges from the pupa, it is in a very vulnerable state. The ladybug's body is very soft and wet as the new exoskeleton still must dry and harden. The colors and spots look dull, but once it is dry the colors are bright and the ladybug will present the world with its new life. You can even watch the entire life cycle with a ladybug Rearing kit where you get to watch the baby ladybug larvae grow and turn into adult ladybugs.

13. Can I keep a ladybug as a temporary pet?
A. Keeping a ladybug as a pet to observe will be fun. You can house your ladybug in a bug box or terrarium. Keep the foliage moist, or place a damp paper towel inside so the ladybug can get a drink. You can feed your ladybug moistened raisins or other sweet, non-acidic fruits. This will help maintain their fat reserves until you are ready to release the ladybug in spring. You can even watch the entire life cycle with a ladybug Rearing kit where you get to watch the baby ladybug larvae grow and turn into adult ladybugs.

16. Are all ladybugs girls?
A. No. There are boy ladybugs and girl ladybugs. It's almost impossible for the average person to tell them apart. But here are some clue that might help. First, females are usually larger than males. Second, if you observe one ladybug riding atop another ladybug, they are in the process of mating. A male ladybug will grab the female's elytra (hard wings) and holds on tight. There are photos on the Ladybugs Mating Page to help you. An entomologist (bug scientist) can see the difference between males and females under a microscope.

19. What are ladybug babies called?
A. Ladybug babies are the larva. They look like little black and orange alligators with small spikes. You can see a picture on the Pictures of Ladybugs and Larva page.

21. What animals and insects prey upon the ladybug?
A. There are lots of animals and insects that prey upon ladybugs. Some insect-eating birds, like martins, swallows, swifts and crows. Insect-eating insects prey on ladybugs like dragonflies, assassin bugs, parasitic wasps, and ants. Other predators include tree frogs, anoles, parasites, fungus and mites. Ladybugs certainly have their shares of problems!

26. Why are ladybugs considered a "beneficial" insect?
A. Ladybugs feed on aphids and other soft bodied insects that feed on plants. The ladybug feeds on these pests as the adult ladybug and as the larva. One ladybug can eat as many as 50 aphids a day. Now, that's a hungry lady! Visit the Ladybugs Helping Gardeners page for more info.

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Ladybug Frequently Asked Questions: Get the Facts

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1. What do ladybugs eat? A. Ladybugs eat Aphids. Aphids are soft bodied insects that suck the juices out of plants. If you have roses in your garden, you have seenaphids . Aphids also come in a variety of colors and not all ladybugs like all the "flavors" of aphids.

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an insect

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Learn how the ladybug's big appetite is a boon to many farmers. Find out the real purpose of their familiar polka-dot pattern.