Ladybug Facts
Ladybug Facts
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| Interesting Ladybug Facts: |
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| Size of a ladybug depends on the species. They are usually 0.03 to 0.7 inches long. |
| The best known species of ladybugs have red body covered with black dots. Other species of ladybugs are yellow, orange or scarlet. They have either dots or stripes on their body. |
| Coloration of the body indicates that ladybug can be dangerous for potential predators. In the case of danger, ladybug secretes toxic substance from the knee joints that keeps the predators on the safe distance. |
| Ladybug has rounded body with a pair of antennas on the head. It has 2 pairs of wings and 6 legs. |
| Ladybug can attach itself to the ground via sticky substance on the feet. This substance facilitates movement across vertical objects and prevents ladybug from falling. |
| Ladybugs consume various aphids, mites and flies. They will eat members of their own species when other food is not available (phenomenon known as cannibalism). |
| Middle Ages in Europe were associated with lot of damaged crops due to raid of various pests. People prayed to the Virgin Mary for the salvation. Red bug covered with black dots appeared soon after the prayer and eliminated pests from the fields. Bug was known as "beetle of Our Lady" in the beginning, but it was renamed into "ladybug" later. |
| Ladybugs are highly appreciated by farmers. They can eat 50 aphids per day and keep the fields and gardens safe from the pests. |
| Main predators of ladybugs are birds, frogs, dragonflies and large spiders. |
| Ladybugs are active from spring to autumn. They hibernate during the winter, usually hidden under the piles of leaves or rocks. They occasionally hibernate inside people's houses. |
| During the hibernation, ladybugs gather in groups composed of thousands or even millions of insects. |
| Ladybugs can reach the speed of 15 miles per hour during the flight. Their wings move 85 times per second. |
| Ladybugs undergo four stages during development: egg, larvae, pupa and adult insect. Larval stage is characterized by soft, elongated body with bumps on the skin. Some people say that larvae of ladybug looks like tiny alligator. |
| Ladybug can produce up to 2000 eggs in a lifetime. Some eggs are not fertile and they serve as food for fertile eggs. |
| Ladybug can survive from few to 9 months in the wild. |
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