Ladybug Habitat: Let's Learn To 'Spot' A Ladybug's Lair

A ladybug is identified by different names all over the world but scientists prefer to call these insects lady beetles.

Ladybird beetles just like various other insects have a proper skeletal structure which makes them an invertebrate and their diet has classified them as omnivores. These insects live for just a couple of years and even their size is perhaps not more than a paper clip.

Humans are especially fond of ladybugs for their attractive appearance, the red-colored body with black polka dots on it. However, for farmers, ladybugs are dearer not for their appealing colors but for what they eat.

There are over 5000 species of ladybugs that exist on this planet and a large number of them eat plant-eating insects like aphids.

This greatly helps the gardeners as they arguably have a natural insect killer in their garden and it doesn't even spoil the soil or crop quality.

Additionally, not only do the ladybirds themselves feed on these pests but when these ladybirds eat these aphids, they also lay eggs. When these eggs hatch, the ladybug larvae that come out immediately begin feeding on the aphids.

There are some ladybug species that feed on the plants themselves rather than on the pests like aphids. Interestingly, back in the 1900s, many species of ladybugs native to Europe were brought all the way to America to protect the crops from aphids.

Let us now take a deeper look at the habitat of a ladybug and where can we spot one.

If you enjoy this article, why not also read about ladybug colors and ladybug life stages here on Kidadl?

What do ladybugs need in their habitat?

Ladybirds do not have a particular habitat, they are found in a variety of places such as in wild forests or in cities or in grasslands, and even on river banks.

However, these animals do not require a lot of different items in their habitat, all the different habitats of ladybugs contain the basic shelter needs and aphids or some other small black bugs as their prey.

Most species of ladybugs need plant stems or branches in their habitat for sheltering purposes. Adult ladybugs also climb on these stems to go from one plant to the other. Water that ladybugs require is naturally available in their habitat from multiple sources.

The only other thing that a ladybug needs in its habitat is food. Almost every ladybug species feeds on aphids and other bugs that are present near plants. Other than aphids, ladybirds also eat mites and other scale insects.

Where are ladybugs typically found in the wild?

Ladybirds can easily be sighted not only in the wild forests but also in our gardens for two main reasons. They are mostly found in temperate climates.

First of all, these insects seem to be present in abundance, and with over 5000 different species of these insects known to exist, there are multiple kinds of ladybirds all around the world. Additionally, the color patterns we see on the back of an adult ladybug also make it convenient for people to spot it.

When you step into the wilderness of nature with the aim of spotting some lady beetles, there are a few spots that you must check as they have a higher probability of having ladybugs.

The time of the year when you choose to wander about in search also plays a key role in your chances of spotting ladybugs, it has been noted that the early summer days when the climate isn't too dry is the best time of the year to go into the wild and find some lady beetles.

Now some of the best places in the wild where you can spot some ladybugs include areas with thick plant growth especially if they have aphids or some bugs on them.

Ladybugs usually choose those spots as their habitat which are good sources of food. Plants that have pests on them become a good supply of food for the ladybugs and they look to move to some other place only when there are no aphids left to consume.

Agricultural fields of clover, wheat, corn, and alfalfa are also known to be favorable sites for spotting varied species of lady beetles.

Other than these areas, you can also spot a lady beetle in wildflower plants or near wild weeds.

At times people have even spotted different species of lady beetles in their garden when they have a lot of flowers.

Making A Ladybug Habitat

Many people keep a lady beetle as their pet at home if they have a garden and want some natural pest removal method. Using pests for removing fertilizers or chemicals can not only damage the crops but also harm the quality of the soil.

Let us take a look at how to make a proper living habitat for a lady beetle.

Surprisingly it isn't that tough to make a habitat for a lady beetle, the easiest part is to gather the lady beetles of varied species, you can find them anywhere.

All that you will need to build a habitat is a couple of sticks or stems which can act as shelter for these lady beetles, they can climb on them, take shelter under them.

It is better if you get stems that have aphids or other small bugs, mites on them that a lady beetle eats. You can place these stems inside a tank so that your ladybugs do not escape.

You do not need to worry about water consumption for your ladybugs as the amount of water their body needs is easily consumed from the food they eat.

Other than these bugs, lady beetles also feed on fruits such as apples which is why these insects are considered omnivores.

The last step in making the habitat just perfect for your lady beetles to live in is spraying some water over the tank and your lady beetles can now move into their new habitat.

Ladybug And Human Interaction

Ladybugs and humans come in contact quite a lot with each other in nature especially when people have a garden. Ladybirds tend to stay on plant stems and feed on the pests that harm the plant.

Humans are known to enjoy the sight of ladybirds in their garden owing to their beautiful bodies and also the help they provide acting as natural pest removers.

In some cultures, people consider ladybugs to be a sign of good luck but researchers advise people not to go too close or take ladybugs in their hand as at the end of the day they are insects. Ladybugs can bite and pinch people using their legs which at times leaves a mark at that spot.

Moreover, people allergic to ladybugs can have severe consequences if bit by them.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for facts about the ladybug habitat, then why not take a look at facts about ladybug larva, or ladybug facts?