Ladybug in metamorphosis

The ladybug life cycle begins with an egg. Once she has mated, the female ladybug lays a cluster of 10 to 50 eggs. In about four days, the ladybug larvae emerge from their eggs. Larvae feed on other soft-bodied plant pests as well, including scale insects, adelgids, mites, and insect eggs. Making them one of the most beneficial bugs to have in the garden.

In its pupal stage, the ladybug is usually yellow or orange with black markings. The pupa remains still, attached to a leaf, throughout this stage.

Depending on the species and environmental variables such as temperature, the pupal stage may last 3 to 12 days.

Newly emerged adults, have soft exoskeletons, making them vulnerable to predators until their cuticles harden. Over its lifetime, a ladybug may consume as many as 5,000 aphids. Almost all ladybugs feed on soft-bodied insects, and serve as beneficial predators of plant pests. Gardeners welcome ladybugs with open arms, knowing they will munch on the most prolific plant pests. Ladybugs love to eat scale insects, white flies, mites, and aphids. As larvae, ladybugs eat pests by the hundreds. A hungry ladybug adult can devour 50 aphids per day. So plant flowers that attract them and let nature be your best pest control!