Ladybug Pictures: Coccinellidae

Additional Insect Resources Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle Anatis Cyclodena Hippodamia Identifying Insects

Ladybird Beetles (Coccinellidae), lady beetles or ladybugs, as they are also commonly know, are a family of beetles in the larger beetle order, Coleoptera.

Most, but not all of the close to five hundred North American ladybug species, have the traditional ladybug look, orange to red color wings that are covered with dark spots. The second most common species appearance, black wings with orange to red spots, reverses the original color pattern.

The color and number of spots on the wings, along with the facial pattern serve as basic ladybug field identification clues. In a handful of instances the spot pattern on the wings is replaced by stripes. Another handful of species have no spots. The Cyclodena genus provides an example of a spotless ladybug species.

Ladybugs are considered beneficial insects because their diet consists of garden pests such as aphids and mites.

The top picture shows a seven spotted ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata), with three spots on the sides of each wing and a spot on the top of the wings. The two white eye spots and two white nose spots also indicate the Coccinella genus.

© 2005-2009 Patricia A. Michaels