The Ladybird (7-spot)

We love seeing the ladybird (aka Ladybug) on the organic farm as it is a natural predator of the aphid pest. This ladybird is pictured on a green mustard leaf. Did you know there are four stages in the lifecycle of a ladybird.
1> Egg – Embryonic Stage:
2> Larva – Larval Stage:
3> Pupa – Pupal Stage:
4> Adult – Imaginal Stage:
It is fascinating to witness the Pupa to Adult Stage when special cells called histoblasts control a biochemical process through which the larval body is broken down and reformed into the adult ladybird.

comments (3)

Ferdy Christant

Lion
Very informative post, here's a photo list of the stages, to visualize your story:
- Ladybugs: egg, larva, pupa, adult
Posted 11 years ago
1. Bridget Charity Rendall
  
  Grizzly Bear
  
  Thank you I have 3 stages but have not got the eggs! Posted 11 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    On the list you can see how I added that one as the last as well, and called it "zero" :) Posted 11 years ago

The Seven-spotted Lady Beetle

Coccinella septempunctata is the most common ladybird in Europe. Its elytra are of a red colour, but punctuated with three black spots each, with one further spot being spread over the junction of the two, making a total of seven spots, from which the species derives both its common and scientific names.

Info 125 1

Similar species: Beetles

Species identified by Bridget Charity Rendall