How to Attract Ladybugs (Lady Beetles) to Your Garden

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Illustration By Keith Ward
There are nearly 200 beneficial lady beetle species in North America. Attract them to your garden for effective aphid control. Ladybug larvae resemble tiny alligators, and are usually dark and flecked with red or yellow.

This article is part of ourOrganic Pest Control Series, which includes articles on attracting beneficial insects, controlling specific garden pests, and using organic pesticides.  

Lady Beetles (Coleoptera)

Commonly called ladybugs, lady beetles are present in gardens throughout North America, in almost 200 slightly different variations. In addition to native ladybugs, the Asian lady beetles now inhabit millions of gardens, and move into houses and other structures for the winter. Most lady beetles are about one-quarter inch long, with red or orange-red backs decorated with black dots. Lady beetle larvae resemble tiny alligators, and are usually black or dark brown flecked with red or yellow.

When you see adult lady beetles on a plant, look about in the foliage for clusters of yellow to orange eggs, which are often located near an aphid colony. Dark little larvae hatch in about a week and begin searching for food. Young lady beetle larvae will consume several dozen aphids a day; in some species an almost-mature larvae may eat more than 100 aphids daily. After feeding for a month, the larvae pupate into adults. Multiple generations are common in warm climates.

What Do Ladybugs Eat?  

  • Published on Feb 4, 2013
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