Back to: Ladybugs
Ladybugs are generally thought of as bringing good luck. Apparently, this came about from gardeners who had bugs such as aphids, scale, or whiteflies eating their plants. As soon as the Ladybug showed up, they knew help had arrived. It is said that if a Ladybug lands on your finger, one wish will be granted. If one flies into your bedroom, this too will bring you good luck.
With over 5000 different species worldwide, the Ladybug is almost universally thought of as beneficial. 450 species are found in North America. They come in a wide variety of colors and arrangement of markings. The classic red with black spots is what most people think of when speaking of Ladybugs, but some have no markings at all. Even entomologists have trouble identifying them.
Both the larvae and the adult beetles are voracious eaters, feeding mainly on aphids and other sap-eating insects. The bright colors of the bug are a defense against would be predators. If attacked, they ‘bleed’ out an obnoxious ooze. If food becomes scarce, the adults simply fly to another location. The nymphs, on the other hand, do not fly so the female lays unfertilized eggs to serve as food for the young during tough times.
Although these beetles are not harmful, they can at times infest homes in large numbers when the weather turns cold. It seems impossible for this bright, almost round, beetle to get in your home, let alone congregate in large numbers. If you’ll notice, they are almost always on the south side of your home where it remains warmer for longer. These beetles are excellent at squeezing into cracks, and finding their way in. Ladybugs do not hibernate but overwinter. This is a fancy way of saying they sleep the cold months away while waiting for spring. Normally, they’ll crawl behind the bark on a tree, or find another safe haven in which to spend the winter months. If they can get into your home, they will. If so, they will probably be on the windowsills for warmth. They aren’t dead in most cases, and I wouldn’t spray them. Either leave them alone until spring, or sweep them into a container and let them fly away when it warms up. It’s a great project for kids!