[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”squiggle-left” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” width=”75%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Order: Coleoptera<\/span> Adults and larvae of lady beetles primarily feed on aphids and can also attack leafhoppers, mites, scale insects, thrips, whiteflies, and small caterpillars. One group of black lady beetles, commonly called spider mite destroyers (Stethorus spp.<\/em>), are commercially available predators of spider mites. All coccinellids can be voracious predators. For example, larvae of the convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens<\/em>) may eat their weight in aphids, and adults can consume up to 50 aphids a day. The sevenspotted lady beetle (Coccinella septempunctata<\/em>) can consume hundreds of aphids per day as an adult.<\/p>\n Lady beetle adults have round to oval shaped bodies. The most well-known lady beetles have black markings (spots) on bright red, orange, or yellow forewings which cover the abdomen. They typically measure about 6.5 mm (1\/4 inch) long and their head is usually black with white markings. The larvae measure between 6.5-9.5 mm (1\/4-3\/8 inch) and are elongated, spiky, and have black bodies with orange or yellow markings.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h1″ header_text_align=”center” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”6%|6%|6%|6%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/09\/lady-beetle-on-leaf-jpg.webp” alt=”Two-Spotted Lady Beetle with Eggs” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Lady beetle resting on a leaf. Image credits: Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/09\/convergent-lady-beetle-jpg.webp” alt=”Lady Beetle Larva” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Convergent lady beetle and multicolored Asian lady beetle resting on hemp. Image credits: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/09\/larva-multicolored-asian-lady-beetle-jpg.webp” alt=”Lady Beetle Larva” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Larva of a multicolored Asian lady beetle feeding on aphids. Note the coloration and presence of spikes. Image credits: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”squiggle-left” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” width=”75%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” custom_padding=”|4%|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Lady beetles are voracious feeders when prey is abundant, making them valuable natural enemies. Lady beetles may be tolerant to some insecticides, but this is highly dependent on species and prior exposure of the resident population to a given insecticide.<\/p>\n When collecting lady beetles for redistribution, they should be handled gently and placed in groups at the base of plants. It is recommended that hibernating adults not be disturbed since they are more susceptible to predation. Some lady beetles supplement their diet with nectar and pollen. Therefore, incorporating flowering plants in the vicinity of a crop may help attract these beneficial insects.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”CSU Extension Fact Sheet” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” admin_label=”Blurb” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”36px” custom_padding=”4%||4%||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Download or view the CSU Extension’s PDF fact sheet for your reference.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/docs\/pubs\/insect\/05594.pdf” button_text=”Lady Beetle Fact Sheet PDF” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=”squiggle-left” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” width=”75%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” custom_padding=”|4%|||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Cannon, C., M. Murray, R. Patterson, and K. Wagner. (n.d.).<\/strong> Available https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/pests\/files\/pubs\/Beneficial-Insects-of-Utah-ID-Guide.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n
Family: Coccinellidae<\/p>\nDescription<\/h2>\n
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Conservation<\/h2>\n
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References<\/h2>\n