By Kathy Feagan
Lady Beetles (Coccinellidae) are what we call “Ladybugs” here in Texas. There are over 136 different species found In Texas, Mexico, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico and Louisiana in the Coccinellidae family. Nationwide, there are thought to be over 450 species (both native and invasive). Lady Beetles are not “true” bugs, but are Beetles in the order Coleotera, and are deemed to be very beneficial and valuable to gardeners. Nearly all of the beetles in this family are beneficial, but there are a few exceptions that are pests like Squash and Mexican Ban Beetles. The life cycle of Lady Beetles is a complete metamorphosis, over about a month (egg, larva, pupa, then adult). Lady Beetle larvae look like tiny six-legged alligators. Larvae are impressive predators of aphids. Adults live for about a month in cool climates but, in warm Texas, they produce several generations per year and often hibernate in debris when it gets cold. They are attracted to milkweed, goldenrod, yarrow and Queen Anne’s lace.
Spotted/Twice-Stabbed Lady Beetles: There are 3 species of the twice-stabbed Lady Beetle (Chilocorus cacti, Chilocorus stigma and Olla v-nigrum), all beneficials. All three are black with one bright red spot on each wing. They have very strong mouthparts capable of chewing through scale insects. Their larvae are voracious and mobile and begin feeding on each other if other prey is not nearby. Lady Beetles are great hunters and are blessed with coloring that warns predators they are toxic. Females can also squirt repulsive smelling blood from their leg joints, fending off predators like birds and lizards. These beetles are native to the U.S. and grow to less than ¼”. They are found in forests, gardens, crops, trees and orchards. Besides devouring scale, they are also active eliminators of caterpillar eggs, mites, thrips, aphids and many soft bodied insects and pests.
Convergent Lady Beetles (Hippodamia convergens) are orange-red usually sporting 13 black spots. Some have less or no spots. They have two white convergent lines on the plate behind their heads. These are the most common native ladybugs of Texas and are very beneficial insects, aggressively controlling aphids. They also eat other soft bodied insects and insect eggs. They grow to about ¼” long. Adults and larvae eat around 50 aphids per day! In the fall, they swarm to higher elevations to hibernate, returning each spring. When aphids are sparse, they feed on plant pollen and nectar. They overwinter on moist plants and vegetation
Pink Spotted/Nine-Spotted Lady Beetles (Coleomegilla maculate) are dark pink to red with large black spots. They feed on aphids and are prized for helping eliminate pests in gardens and crops. These native beetles are oval-shaped and are pink with six black spots on each wing and 2 black spots on the thorax. Spotted pink beetles are the only beetles able to go through their entire life cycle inside pollen from plants. They grow to ¼” long. These beetles hunt mealybugs, eggs of beetles and caterpillars, small larvae, nymphs, thrips, scale, aphids and many more soft insects in agriculture, gardens and fields. When they can’t find prey, they eat pollen and nectar. Females can lay over 1,000 eggs during their three-month life span. They are active in late winter to fall and may overwinter in ground debris. Unfortunately, their greatest predators are ants and their population is declining.
Seven-Spotted Lady Beetles (Cocinella septempunctata) are bright red with seven black spots. They were native to Europe and are now found all over Texas. They were imported to combat aphid infestations. They mostly eat aphids. They have orange-red wings with seven black spots and one additional black spot lined by two white spots close to their head. They grow to 1/3” long and can produce five generations each year. They breed in late spring (when aphids become active). Females attract mates by releasing sex pheromones. They lay their eggs in summer on vegetation and females can lay up to 500 eggs during their lifetime. In cold climates, they emit a pheromone to attract other ladybugs. They then swarm and cluster together for warmth and protection and hibernate. They are able to locate aphids by the aphid’s pheromones (warning other aphids of predators). It is also believed that plants release a pheromone when they are swarmed by aphids, which attracts these beetles.
Blood Red Lady Beetle (Cycloneda sanguinea) are solid red to bright orange with no spots on their wings. These native beetles feed on aphids and “wild” plants like milkweeds, yarrow and goldenrod. They hibernate in winter months in tree fissures or bark. They have unique black and white marks; females are black from their middle to the face, while males have a white cleft on top of their heads. They grow to about 5/16” long. You will find them where the aphids are, in landscapes, fields, trees, and crops. They are a great beneficial control for your garden.
Scymnus Lady Beetles (Scymnus loewii) are very tiny, less than 1/16” long, and are often not observed because they are so minute. They are highly beneficial and have dull orange bodies with a black V on their wings. They hunt and eat mites, mealybugs and aphids. They are very common here in Texas. Their larvae produce filaments that cover their bodies so they resemble mealybugs, this helps protect them while hunting prey (especially mealybugs!). They are mainly found in crops like sorghum and cotton, as well as gardens. They are terrific predators of most soft-bodied insects, especially scale, mites and aphids.
Multi-colored Asian Lady Beetles (Harmonia axyridis) are an invasive species and are a huge pest and problem to home and building owners. They were introduced to the U.S. from Asia in the 1960s and again in the 1990’s as a USDA attempt to reduce agricultural pests from Louisiana to Connecticut. Now, they are found throughout the U.S. Although these invasive beetles are great for controlling aphids during the warm season, in cold weather, they try to enter homes and buildings for warmth. You can spot the “M” on the pronotum plate behind or above the head. The plate is white with four black spots making the “M”. They also have many more black spots than our native Lady Beetles (natives have 11-13 spots while Asian beetles have 18 or more spots and, occasionally, no spots!). They are also more orange than the red of the native beetles. As the weather cools, these beetles huddle in mass numbers upon the southwest side of houses and buildings to warm up in the sun. They hunt for cracks and tiny openings to enter eaves and attics that lend them access directly inside buildings and homes. They become active as they warm up, clustering around doors, windows and lights. They can leave a yellow stain on walls and floors and have a musky smell. When threatened, they can squirt a smelly, staining, yellow fluid from their leg joints, protecting them from predators. They will also leave a stain if stepped on.
The Big Country Master Gardener Association presents free education programs every month. There is a program at 6:00 p.m. on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the Abilene Public Library South Branch in the Mall of Abilene, and the same program is presented again at 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd Friday of the month at the Abilene Public Library main location. Be sure to check our website to know when the Friday program will be held. We also have a Master Gardener Saturday Seminar from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the last Saturday of the month from February through August in the Taylor County Extension Office Conference Room.
We are here to help you. If you have any questions, call the Taylor County Extension Office at 325-672-6048 or email us at bcmgardeners@yahoo.com. We hope you will visit our Facebook page, our website at bcmgtx.org, and the BCMGA YouTube channel for all Big Country Master Gardener information, events, and training.