01/09/2023
Coccinellidae is a family of small beetles called ladybugs in North America and ladybirds elsewhere. More than 6,000 species occur globally in a variety of habitats. They are oval with a domed back. Adult females are larger than males. Many species have warning colours and patterns that warn predators that they are distasteful. Most are carnivorous, preying on insects such as aphids. They are promiscuous breeders, and may lay their eggs near prey colonies, so their larvae have a close food source. They develop from larva to pupa to adult. Temperate species hibernate during the winter; tropical species are dormant during the dry season. Since they prey on pests, most coccinellids are beneficial insects and some have been introduced outside their range as biological control agents. A few are pests themselves, and invasive forms pose a threat to native species. Threats to coccinellids include climate change and habitat destruction. They feature in folklore, religion, poetry, and nursery rhymes.
