Coleoptera: Coccinellidae
Ladybugs, also commonly referred to as ladybirds, ladybird beetles, or lady beetles, are insects in the Coccinellidae family of the beetle order, Coleoptera. They are among the most visible and best known beneficial predatory insects, with over 450 species found in North America and over 4500 in the entire world. The Coleoptera are unique from other orders in that they undergo complete metamorphosis (meaning larva and pupa stages in their life cycle), and their forewings have modified into a hardened cover called the elytra which protects the insect. Most ladybugs found in North America are beneficial as both adults and larvae, feeding primarily on aphids, as well as mites, small insects, and insect eggs. As a result, they are particularly helpful for growers of vegetables, grain crops, legumes, strawberries, and tree crops, as well as general gardens. Many ladybugs supplement their meat diet with pollen, and a few species even feed on plant and pollen mildew.
Females can lay anywhere from 20 to more than 1,000 eggs over a 1 to 3 month period, beginning in spring or early summer. They will hatch in 3 to 10 days, depending on ambient temperature. The larvae are dark in color with yellow or orange bands or spots, and are "alligator-like" with three pairs of prominent legs. The larvae will live and grow for a period of 20-30 days before entering the pupal stage, which will last for about 3 to 15 days, depending on temperature and species. The adults then emerge and live for a few months to over a year. Adults are small, round to oval, and dome-shaped. They are usually red or orange with black markings, although some are black, often with red markings. The bright colors of ladybugs serve as a warning to potential predators of the distasteful repellents the beetle will release if attacked.
The nine-spotted ladybug beetle (coccinella novemnotata) is the official insect of New York.
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After doing some birthday caching with WolfKing520 along for company on an absolutely BEAUTIFUL spring day, we decided to place a hide of our own (I let WolfKing520 pick which we should hide). You're looking for a homemade cache, with room only for the log, so be sure to BYOP. Please use stealth if necessary, and be sure to tuck the container securely back into it's hiding place with lots of cover so it doesnt get muggled!
Happy caching!