What Do Ladybugs Eat?

Ladybugs are small, round red insects with black spots. They can be other colors, like orange, yellow, and black, but the most familiar species is the seven-spotted ladybug, which is red. Ladybugs are sometimes called ladybird beetles or lady beetles. They got their name from farmers who would pray to the Virgin Mary for protection for their crops. When aphids and other pests invaded their crops, ladybugs came in and ate the bugs and saved the crops. Ladybugs are still farmers’ best friends and play an important role in controlling aphids and other pests. So, we know they eat aphids, but what else do ladybugs eat?

How Do Ladybugs Hunt?

Ladybugs have poor eyesight, so they rely on their sense of smell to locate food. They use their antennae like radar to detect food. Ladybugs can detect chemical signals and vibrations through their antennae.. Their feet also have sensory receptors that help them smell the things they come in contact with.

What Do Ladybugs Eat?

Ladybugs primarily eat aphids, a type of small, wingless bug. This is true across species and habitats. However, with 5,000 species of ladybugs, there is some variation. Some species feed on pollen and nectar. Other species feed on plant parts, such as stems. If they can’t find aphids, some ladybugs will feed on fungus and mildew. Some species feed on mites. Most ladybugs will also eat insect eggs if they come across them.

Although there is some variation by species, here is a list of foods ladybugs eat:

• Aphids
• Plant-eating bugs
• Mites
• Pollen
• Nectar
• Mealybugs
• Insect eggs
• Mildew
• Fungi
• Fruit flies
• Plants (some species)

Adult ladybugs eat all day long. They are believed to eat as many as 75 aphids in a day. This means in a lifespan of one to two years, a ladybug could consume thousands of aphids. Ladybugs also lay their eggs on leaves where aphids are commonly found. So when the larvae hatch, they are essentially inside a full-service restaurant and can begin feeding right away. Ladybug larvae can consume 300 to 400 aphids over a two- to three-week period.

What Do Ladybugs Drink?

Ladybugs drink nectar and water. They also feed on aphid honeydew, which is a sweet liquid that some insects produce after they eat plants. The nectar and honeydew provide the ladybugs with essential nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, these fluids help keep their bodies hydrated in dry climates. In addition to drinking liquids from plants and other insects, ladybugs will sometimes seek out small pools of standing water for extra hydration if needed.

What Eats Ladybugs?

Their bright colors and spots serve as a warning to predators that, like a bad-tasting jelly bean, they taste awful and should not be eaten. They have glands in their joints that give off an offensive smell, yet some animals still prey on ladybugs. What eats ladybugs? The most common predators are birds that can swoop down and eat them, but depending on their habitat, ladybugs can also be eaten by frogs, dragonflies, and spiders.