15 Types of Ladybugs

But did you know that there are actually over 5,000 species of ladybugs? These little insects come in all shapes and sizes, with spots and without spots. In this article, we’ll look at 15 different types of ladybugs.

Two Spot Ladybug

The two-spot ladybug is one of the most common ladybug species in the United Kingdom. As the name suggests, this ladybug has two black spots on its red elytra. However, some specimens may have up to four spots, and some may have no spots at all.

The two-spot ladybug measures about 4 – 5 mm in length. They are a voracious predator of aphids, scale insects, and other soft-bodied insects. They are often used as a biological control agent in gardens and greenhouses.

Seven Spot Ladybug

The seven-spot ladybug is one of the most common species of ladybugs in Europe. Its wing covers are red with three black spots each, and one additional spot is spread over the junction of the two, making a total of seven spots. These ladybugs are relatively large, with adults growing to approximately 10 mm in size. They can be found in various habitats, including gardens, fields, and forests.

The colour and number of spots on the seven-spot ladybug can vary depending on the temperature during development. Cooler temperatures can result in more spots, while warmer temperatures can result in fewer spots. The seven-spot ladybugs are also considered a symbol of good luck in many cultures. In some countries, such as Sweden and Belgium, it is believed that if a seven-spot ladybug lands on you, you will have good luck.

Fourteen Spotted Ladybug

As the name suggests, this species has 14 black rectangular spots fused at the midline on a cream-to-yellow to-orange body. The antennae and legs are yellowish-brown. When threatened, they curl up their legs and antennae and drop to the ground, playing dead to deter predators.

Twenty-Spotted Lady Beetle

The twenty-spotted lady beetle is a rare ladybug species that is difficult to spot in Europe and North America. It is a small beetle that measures between 1.75 – 3.0 mm in length. The twenty-spotted lady beetle has a white or pale head with a black patch at the top. Its pronotum is white or pale with four to five dark spots arranged in a vague “M” shape. The underlying colour of its elytra is white with black spots.

Twenty-Four Spot Ladybug

The twenty-four spot ladybug spots are typically black or dark brown and are arranged in rows. The ladybug’s body is usually orange or red and has a round shape. This ladybug is found in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America. It’s a common species that are often seen in gardens and other outdoor spaces.

Mealybug Ladybird

If you’re looking for a ladybird that can help you eliminate mealybugs, then the mealybug ladybird is the one for you. This ladybird is native to Australia but has been introduced to other parts of the world, including Europe and North America, to control mealybug infestations.

The mealybug ladybird has a black body with a reddish-brown head. It also has a distinctive white waxy coating on its body that helps it blend in with mealybugs. This ladybird is a voracious predator of mealybugs and can consume up to 250 mealybugs in its lifetime.

Transverse Ladybug

The transverse ladybug is a type of ladybug that is commonly found in the United States. This ladybug species is small and have a shiny red body with black spots. The black spots are arranged in a transverse pattern across the ladybug’s body, hence the name “Transverse Ladybug”.

One unique characteristic of the Transverse Ladybug is its feeding habits. This ladybug feeds on many insects, including aphids, mites, and other small insects. It is also known to feed on the eggs and larvae of other ladybug species, making it a potential threat to other ladybug populations.

Large Leaf Eating Ladybird

The large leaf-eating ladybird is native to Asia but has spread to other parts of the world, including Europe and North America. It has a yellowish-orange body with black spots and black stripes on the head and thorax. Its elytra, or wing covers, are black with yellowish-orange stripes.

As the name suggests, the Large Leaf Eating Ladybird feeds on the leaves of plants. It prefers large-leafed plants such as cucumbers, melons, and pumpkins. The larvae and adults of this species feed on the leaves, causing damage to the plants. However, they are not considered severe pests and rarely cause significant damage to crops.

Hadda Beetle

This ladybug is yellow-orange, and it has 14 black markings on each of its wing covers. The hadda beetle will feed on and damage potato crops. It’s sometimes called the “Twenty-Eight-Spotted Potato Ladybug.” Despite its tendency to damage crops, the hadda beetle can still help control other pests like aphids.

Three-Banded Ladybug

This native North American ladybug has three black bands wrapped around its orange body, giving it a unique and striking appearance like a tiger. Males have a pale head with a black band across the base. Females have a black head with two pale spots.

Eye-Spotted Ladybug

As its name suggests, this species has eye-like spots on its body, which can help to deter predators. The eye-spotted ladybug is also known for its bright red colouring and black spots, making it easy to spot in gardens and parks. These ladybugs are found throughout North America and can often be seen feeding on aphids and other small insects.

Steelblue Lady Beetle

The steelblue lady beetle is a species of ladybird native to Australia. It was introduced to New Zealand in the late 19th and early 20th century to control the black and blue gum scales on citrus trees. Since then, it has become common in New Zealand and can be found in other parts of the world, including the United States and Europe.

The steelblue lady beetle has a rounded appearance with an iridescent blue/green colouration. While the steelblue lady beetle is generally considered beneficial, it can sometimes be mistaken for the invasive Asian Lady Beetle. The two species look similar, but the steelblue lady beetle has a more rounded shape and lacks the distinctive M-shaped marking on its thorax.

Ashy Grey Lady Beetle

This beetle is distinct from the more common red ladybugs and is one of many variations in the Coccinellidae family.

The ashy grey lady beetle is small, measuring only 4 – 6mm long as an adult. It has an oval to rounded shape when viewed from above and a convex, dome-shaped appearance when viewed from the side. This ladybug species can be found in Central America, North America, and Oceania.

One of the most distinctive features of the ashy grey lady beetle is its colouration. It has a white, grey, or tan base colour across the elytra or wing covers and is covered in tiny black spots. This beetle is dominant in southern US states, with its northern limit being the Great Lakes region.

Six-Spotted Zigzag Ladybird

The six-spotted zigzag ladybird is primarily found in the Caribbean. This ladybird is known for its distinctive pattern of six black spots on a red or yellow background, forming a zigzag pattern on its wings. This ladybird is also known to be a predator of other ladybird species, making it an essential part of the ecosystem.

The six-spotted zigzag ladybird is a relatively small species, measuring 5 – 7 mm long. It has a round, dome-shaped body and six short legs. This ladybird is known for its bright colours, which serve as a warning to potential predators that it is toxic and
unpalatable.

Convergent Lady Beetle

The convergent lady beetle is one of the most common ladybugs in North America and is highly valued by gardeners and farmers alike for its pest-control abilities. The convergent lady beetle is easily recognizable by its bright orange-red wing covered with black spots.

Adults typically measure 5 – 8 mm long and have a convex, oval-shaped body. It is known to migrate in huge numbers. In the autumn, these ladybugs will gather in large groups and fly to higher elevations, where they will overwinter. In some areas, such as the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, these migrations are so massive that they can be detected by weather radar.