CONTINUE READING
Ladybugs seem like the epitome of innocence. Their vibrant red shells and playful spots have captured hearts worldwide, starring in nursery rhymes and adorning everything from clothing to garden decorations.
Ladybugs can consume up to 50 to 60 aphids per day but will also eat a variety of other insects and larvae, including scales, mealy bugs, leaf hoppers, mites, and various types of soft-bodied insects.
When threatened, ladybugs deploy a surprising defense tactic known as “reflex bleeding.”They secrete a toxic substance from their leg joints, deterring predators with its off-putting taste and smell.
This species, known as the harlequin ladybird, has established populations in at least 59 countries outside its native range. While it’s a voracious predator of aphids and other pests, its introduction has led to competition with and displacement of native ladybugs.