Other beetles that have a defensive hemispherical shape, like that of the Coccinellidae (for example the Cassidinae), also are often taken for ladybirds.Ī common myth, totally unfounded, is that the number of spots on the insect's back indicates its age. Conversely, laymen may fail to identify unmarked species of Coccinellidae as 'ladybirds'. Examples include the much larger scarabaeid grapevine beetles and spotted species of the Chrysomelidae, Melyridae and others. Beetles are particularly prone to such misidentification if they are spotted in red, orange or yellow and black. Non-entomologists are prone to misidentify a wide variety of beetle species in other families as 'ladybirds', i.e. For example, the tortoise beetles, like the ladybird beetles, look similar because they are shaped so that they can cling to a flat surface so closely that ants and many other enemies cannot grip them. Conversely, non-entomologists might easily mistake many other small beetles for coccinellids. Seven-spotted coccinellids are red or orange with three spots on each side and one in the middle they have a black head with white patches on each side.Īs well as the usual yellow and deep red colourings, many coccinellid species are mostly, or entirely, black, dark grey, gray, or brown, and may be difficult for an entomologist/nonentomologists to recognise as coccinellids at all. Depending on the species, they can have spots, stripes, or no markings at all. Most coccinellids have oval, dome-shaped bodies with six short legs. Common names in other European languages have the same association, for example, the German name Marienkäfer translates to Marybeetle. In the United States, the name was adapted to 'ladybug'. Mary (Our Lady) was often depicted wearing a red cloak in early paintings, and the spots of the seven-spot ladybird (the most common in Europe) were said to symbolise her seven joys and seven sorrows. The name 'ladybird' originated in Britain where the insects became known as 'Our Lady's bird' or the Lady beetle. The name coccinellids is derived from the Latin word coccineus meaning 'scarlet'. They occur in practically all the major crop-producing regions of temperate and tropical countries. In such situations, they can do major crop damage. Usually, epilachnines are only mild agricultural pests, eating the leaves of grain, potatoes, beans, and various other crops, but their numbers can increase explosively in years when their natural enemies, such as parasitoid wasps that attack their eggs, are few. However, some species do have unwelcome effects among these, the most prominent are of the subfamily Epilachninae, which are herbivorous themselves. Many coccinellids lay their eggs directly in aphid and scale insect colonies in order to ensure their larvae have an immediate food source. The majority of coccinellid species are generally considered useful insects, because many species prey on herbivorous homopterans such as aphids or scale insects, which are agricultural pests. Entomologists widely prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as these insects are not classified as true bugs. Ĭoccinellids are known as ladybugs in North America, and ladybirds in other areas. Coccinellids are found worldwide, with over 6,000 species described. For example, a minority of species, such as Vibidia duodecimguttata, a twelve-spotted species, have whitish spots on a brown background. However such colour patterns vary greatly.

They are commonly yellow, orange, or red with small black spots on their wing covers, with black legs, heads and antennae. Coccinellidae ( / ˌ k ɒ k s ɪ ˈ n ɛ l ɪ d aɪ/) is a widespread family of small beetles ranging from 0.8 to 18 mm (0.0315 to 0.708 inches).

Coccinella wikipedia