These four stages of the ladybug life cycle are embryonic (eggs), larval (larvae), pupal (pupae), and imaginal (adult beetles). Ladybugs begin their life cycle as eggs laid by the female on plants, typically near a food source like aphids. After hatching, the larvae feed on soft-bodied...
FeatureFertile EggsInfertile Eggs Larval content Developing ladybug larvae None Purpose Hatching new ladybugs Extra food source if needed Anatomy and Appearance Parts of a Ladybug A ladybug’s body (also known as a lady beetle) consists of three main sections: the head, thorax, and abdomen. Th...
The ladybug lays the eggs on a leaf with many aphids so the hatching larva has food. Throughout spring, female ladybugs lay more than 1,000 eggs. Larva The larva emerges from the eggs two to ten days after being laid. The time it takes to hatch depends on the temperature and type of...
Research into lady beetle eggs is just incipient. Some species are more researched than others but the role of their eggs is just beginning to be understood. It’s not clear if most ladybug species lay both fertile and infertile eggs, but there are beetles of this type that lay both types...