The ladybug, or the bug of the virgin Mary, is a small and quite beautiful insect. His sweet appearance and bizarre bright motley from time immemorial attracted the attention of man. In some countries, these bugs are associated with many different traditions, proverbs, tales and sayings. So, the topic of our article is ladybugs. What do we know about them?
What do ladybugs eat?
The Latin name for these beetles is Coccinellidae. Once they were separately allocated to the family of the same name. The life of the so-called ladybugs takes place in an active search for food: they quickly run through plants and can fly long distances. They, like their larvae, feed mainly on harmful aphids. For this they were nicknamed cow smiles. But aphids are not the only source of nutrition for ladybirds. These insects and their larvae destroy the insects, spider mites, worms, leaf beetles, small green caterpillars, eggs of other insects, etc.
Entomologists are touched by this creature: the bug has an enviable appetite. Up to fifty aphids and other larvae should be eaten by one ladybug per day. How does a ladybug develop? Of course, putting off the larvae. So, for the full development of these creatures require about a thousand aphids! If the larvae of ladybirds do not suffer from a lack of food, then they develop very quickly. In one year, several generations of such larvae can grow at once. And after all, everything directly depends on the feed!
Why do they need bright color?
It is known that the bright coloring of certain animals is their natural protective protection from enemies. Ladybugs are no exception. Speaking in the language of entomological scientists, the color of these insects is warning (threatening). She talks about their inedibility. Probably everyone who at least once held a ladybug in his hand knows that it leaves an orange drop if it is inadvertently pressed with a finger. This is cantharidin poison.
For humans, such poison does not pose any danger, however, the bird that grabs this insect, it will burn the throat. Next time, the feathered one will already think before grabbing anything! Most likely, the bird will fly around the side of all the bright beetles, because many of them imitate ladybirds, dressing in the same attire. So this scarlet insect can be called small and daring.
By the way, ladybugs are not always decorated with dots. Often the patterns on their backs take very bizarre forms, for example, in the form of commas, dashes, and even the letters "m". There are also bugs whose carapace is covered with a simple ornament. Not all ladybugs are painted only in red or yellow. Black bugs are also found in nature. Now we should talk about how the ladybug develops.
Oviposition
Only the bugs that appeared in the spring begin to feed and multiply. Before laying eggs, they are full of aphids. In one season, a ladybug female lays from 300 to 1200 testicles. Usually they have an oval shape with slightly narrowed ends and a yellow color. Sometimes there are orange or white eggs. These creatures create fairly dense masonry, in which the eggs themselves are arranged tightly to each other.
Larvae and pupae
Let's find out how a ladybug develops in the larval stage. Their larvae are more or less campodeoid. They have an elongated shape. Less commonly, it is oval or flat. In larvae feeding exclusively on mealybugs, the body is covered with white waxy threads. Often they have a motley and bright color. The pattern on their body may consist of orange, white or yellow spots. The surface of the body is covered with hairs, warts and bristles.
In a month, larvae can grow up to 8 mm in length. It all depends on the abundance of food. Before becoming an adult insect - an adult, the ladybug larva must go through the pupal stage. At this stage, she spends up to 12 days. The rate of its development depends entirely on the ambient temperature. The adult bug reaches a length of up to 8 mm.
Artificial development
About how a ladybug develops in nature, we said above: it lays larvae, which constantly feed and grow. But wildlife is not their only birthplace. The fact is that in some countries these cute bugs are grown in special laboratories. Do this in order to combat insect pests in the fields. For example, it is still being done in Japan.
For the full development of these creatures, they feed on larvae of wasps. From this, beetles significantly increase fertility (almost 10 times). After this, ladybugs are released into the fields. As we have already noted, the purpose of this procedure is the destruction of pests. These hardworking insects immediately get to work. In addition, gardeners note that a ladybug in the garden is also an indispensable assistant in the fight against various pests. All this makes scarlet beetles useful for agriculture.
How do ladybugs winter?
Already adult bugs (adults) usually go for wintering. To do this, they can gather in packs. This happens especially often in the mountains, where they flock from the surrounding lowlands. Often after winter, the favorite food of ladybirds - aphids - does not develop immediately, and the beetles already need to eat something. Therefore, they continue to sleep in the highlands, where it is cold. They awaken only when summer comes in the lowlands.
