Of the thousands of insect species crawling and flying around the world, ladybugs probably rank among some of the cutest. These tiny, rotund creatures scuttle about on plant leaves, easily distinguishable thanks to their sports car red and small black spots. Sometimes, they might even land on you – if you’re lucky.
There are some 5,000 species of ladybugs on Earth, though the most common type in North America is the convergent ladybug. Contrary to the name, they’re not actually “bugs” but rather beetles. In other regions, they go by other nicknames as well, including “ladybirds.”
There’s much to learn about ladybugs: They’re avid aphid eaters, and this diet of pests makes most species in the Coccinellidae family, where ladybugs hail from, farmers’ best friends. They gather in large groups to hibernate through the winter, finding their homes in logs, ground cover, and sometimes even houses. While they’re known for their vibrant reds, ladybugs can come in all sorts of colors – yellow, orange, and even solid black.
Here are some other facts about the ladybug.
