Lady beetle adult and larva
© 2000. Ralph E. Berry, Department of Entomology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
| Adults and larvae of lady beetles, Hippodamia spp. and Coccinella spp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), feed on aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Adults are about 4 mm long, oval and convex in shape, and red-orange usually with black spots on the wing covers. Mature larvae are about 9.5 mm, gray or blue-gray with numerous yellow, white, or red spots. H. convergens larvae consume an average of 207 aphids in 22 days, and adults consume an average of 380 aphids in 31 days. C. trifasciata larvae consume and average of 175 aphids in 27 days, and adults consume an average of 295 aphids in 31 days. A complete life cycle from egg to adult requires four to six weeks and there are several overlapping generations during the summer. |
