Lady beetles are oval, almost hemispherical insects that are often shiny and contrastingly colored. Many species are red with black spots or black with red spots. A few species are gray with black spots or orange or brown. Most lady beetles are 1⁄4 inch or smaller and some are quite tiny.
The eggs of some lady beetles are yellow and less than 1⁄16 inch long. They are often laid on end in small masses. The eggs of others are scale-like and laid flat on twigs. From the eggs hatch larvae, small insects that resemble tiny, short-snouted alligators with six legs. Some lady beetles have larvae covered with a fluffy white secretion which makes the insect look like a mealybug. The next stage is the pupa. Pupae are about the size of the adults, but the legs and antennae are closely pressed to the body. Also, the wing buds wrap around the body. The pupae are usually anchored to the substrate by the rear.
Because lady beetle pupae do not resemble the adults (or anything else in the home gardeners experience) the many gardeners assume that lady beetle pupae are pests “sucking the life” out of the plant. Consequently, these pupae are squashed or scraped off and destroyed. Each lady beetle larva eats many aphids and other pests, and each lady beetle lays many eggs which would hatch into many more larvae. Each pupa destroyed allows thousands of aphids to survive!
#Black Ladybugs: A Closer Look at These Unique Insects
Ladybugs are a beloved insect, often associated with good luck and positivity. But while the classic red ladybug with black spots comes to mind for most people, there are actually many different colors and patterns of ladybugs around the world. One unique and striking variation is the black ladybug, a type of ladybug that has a primarily black body.
Black ladybugs exhibit a phenomenon called aposematic coloration This refers to the use of black, white, and red color patterns to signal toxicity or unpalatability to potential predators While black ladybugs are not actually toxic, the black color likely helps deter some birds and other predators. There are over 6,000 species of ladybugs globally, and black coloration has evolved in many different types.
Common Types of Black Ladybugs
There are dozens of species of black ladybugs Here are some of the most common
Twice-Stabbed Ladybug This species (Chilocorus stigma) is black with two distinctive red spots, one on each wing cover. It is a beneficial predatory insect that eats smaller insects like aphids.
Kuwana’s Ladybug: Native to Asia, this ladybug (Chilocorus kuwanae) has a black body with red dots in the middle of its wing covers. It eats scale insects.
Pine Ladybug: The pine ladybug (Exochomus quadripustulatus) lives in pine forests. It has a black body with one red spot and mark on each wing cover. It eats aphids and scale insects.
Yellow-Spotted Ladybug: Named for the two yellow spots on its back, this Australian ladybug (Apolinus lividigaster) preys on scale insects and other crop pests.
Twice-Struck Ladybug: Similar looking to the twice-stabbed, this bug (Axion plagiatum) has larger orange-red spots and a flatter body. It eats small insects and nectar.
Mealybug Destroyer: An important biocontrol agent, these black bugs with brown spots (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) devour mealybugs and other crop pests.
As you can see, the diet of black ladybugs consists largely of pest insects like aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects. This makes them very beneficial for agriculture. Many species are purposely released on farms to help control destructive pests.
Unique Characteristics of Black Ladybugs
Beyond their striking dark coloration, black ladybugs share many standard ladybug traits:
-
Domed Shape: The round, domed shape of ladybugs allows them to roll away if threatened, protecting their legs and underside.
-
Spots: While the base color is black, they often have spots or markings in red, orange, yellow, or white. Spot number and pattern aids identification.
-
Short Antennae: Ladybugs have short, clubbed antennae with 11 segments. They use these to smell prey and mates.
-
Six Legs: Their six jointed legs allow them to grasp plant surfaces and quickly ambush prey.
-
Wings: Ladybugs have four wings, with the front set being thick and protective. Wings allow them to fly to habitats with abundant prey.
-
Pheromone Release: Like other ladybugs, black varieties can release pheromones to signal danger or attract mates. Some also emit smelly fluids from leg joints as a defense.
-
Larval Form: Ladybug larvae are alligator-shaped, black, and spiky. They feed voraciously on plants to complete their full lifecycle.
Spiritual and Symbolic Meaning of Black Ladybugs
In many cultures, ladybugs are considered highly lucky and auspicious. But black ladybugs have some unique symbolic meanings:
-
They are seen as protectors – their dark color is linked to absorbing evil or guarding crops and homes from harm.
-
Finding a black ladybug signals a time of blessings ahead – whether in wealth, relationships, or self-reflection.
-
Their black color evokes deep inner wisdom, intuition, and the need to look within oneself for guidance.
-
They prompt us to express self-love and acceptance to others.
-
Unlike red ladybugs, associated with romantic love, black ones are tied to maturity and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
So while all ladybugs represent good fortune, black varieties add deeper symbolism related to protection, reflection, and transition. Their distinctive look makes people ponder the cycles of life and reliance on inner light during times of darkness.
Common Questions About Black Ladybugs
While black ladybugs are beneficial insects, some questions come up around living with or spotting them:
Do black ladybugs bite?
No, ladybugs have mouthparts designed for eating plants and soft-bodied insects. They cannot bite humans.
Are black ladybugs poisonous?
No ladybug species are poisonous or toxic. Some release smelly fluids or have a bad taste, which may have led to this myth. But they are not venomous or dangerous.
What eats black ladybugs?
Black coloration helps protect ladybugs from predators like birds. But they can fall prey to spiders, frogs, rodents, and dragonflies. Larvae are vulnerable to assassin bugs and other predatory insects.
How can I get rid of black ladybugs in my home?
Use screens, caulk cracks, vacuum them up, or spray insecticides outside only. Reduce indoor heat and plant-feeding insects like aphids outside to discourage infestations.
What plants and flowers repel black ladybugs?
Planting lavender, basil, garlic, chrysanthemums, petunias, or marigolds around your home can help deter black ladybugs and other insect pests.
Conclusion
Black ladybugs are a fascinating variation of this beloved beetle. There are many different black species around the world, unified by their predation of crop pests like scale insects and aphids. While linked to deep symbolic meanings, black ladybugs are harmless to humans. Learning to identify their unique types and spot patterns can help you appreciate these lucky charms of nature when you are fortunate enough to spot one. With their striking colors and voracious appetites, black ladybugs continue to help protect precious plants and remind us of the cycles of rebirth in nature.
Pink Lady Beetle or Spotted Lady Beetle
Pink or spotted lady beetles, Coleomegilla maculata, are consummate aphid predators but also prey on mites, insect eggs, and small larvae. Unlike most lady beetles, plant pollen may constitute up to 50% of the diet. Adults overwinter in large aggregations beneath leaf litter and stones along hedgerows or in protected sites along crop borders, especially those of fields planted to corn in the previous season. They emerge from early to mid-spring and disperse, often by walking along the ground, to seek prey and egg laying sites in nearby crops.
Females lay from 200 to more than 1,000 eggs over a one to three month period commencing in spring or early summer. Eggs are usually deposited near prey such as aphids, often in small clusters in protected sites on leaves and stems. Larvae grow from about 1 mm to 5 or 6 mm in length and may wander up to 40 feet in search of prey. The larva attaches itself by the abdomen to a leaf or other surface to pupate. The pupal stage may last from 3 to 12 days depending on the temperature.
Pink lady beetles may be found from April to late September and are usually be the most commonly observed lady beetles in corn, potatoes, and mixed crops. They may be especially abundant towards the end of the season when the adults aggregate in preparation for mating and winter hibernation. There are from two to five generations per year.
Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle
A recently introduced species called the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis, sometimes congregates in large numbers inside of houses in the fall and is considered a pest in that situation. The multicolored part of its common name refers to the great variety of color forms from almost black to pale orange. These beetles are usually marked with a variable number of spots. The larvae are remarkable for sixteen double pronged yellow-orange bumps on the abdomen. Multicolored Asian lady beetles eat many kinds of soft bodied insects, and is considered an important predator of aphids and scale insects. One downside is that it may be displacing some of our native lady beetle species. Eggs hatch in 5 days, and larvae develop for about 10 days. The pupal stage lasts at least 4 days. Development from egg to adults takes 3 to 4 weeks. In fall, these beetles seek out walls and other flat surfaces that face south. Sometimes the number of Harmonia lady beetles congregating on the sides of houses during warm fall days can be overwhelming. As the day cools, they burrow into cracks and crevices and make their way indoors. New females overwinter (without mating) along with the aggregate population. Mating occurs later the next spring.