10 Types of Ladybugs: Species, Identification, and Photos

Numerous types of ladybugs exist, with unique traits, habitats, and behaviors. From brightly colored urban ladybugs to the more elusive species in remote wilderness, this group of insects offers a generous variety for exploration.

This journey promises to provide a fresh perspective on these under-appreciated garden companions. Whether you are a backyard nature lover or an amateur entomologist, this article should challenge your preconceptions about these insects.

Ladybug Classification

Lady beetles, also known as ladybugs, ladybird beetles, or ladybirds, are small insects with shell-like backs in bright red, orange, or yellow, often dotted with black spots. 

Ladybugs comprise the family Coccinellidae, with over 6,000 ladybird species worldwide. They display a diverse palette of characteristics. Most species exhibit bold colors and patterns to deter predators, yet their diets vary from carnivorous to herbivorous. 

Carnivorous ladybugs are usually introduced as a classical biological control in agriculture since they voraciously prey on soft-bodied insect pests. As natural enemies to these pests, ladybirds are crucial to organic farming and integrated pest management systems¹.

Breeding also varies, favoring either spring and summer or tropical wet seasons. Their life cycles unfold from larva to pupa to adult, with different dormancy periods. However, not all ladybugs are beneficial. Some pose threats to agriculture and ecosystems alike.

Moreover, many ladybug species have adapted to various environments. For example, the Convergent Ladybug lives in North America. It hibernates in groups during winter and feeds on aphids in the spring. Meanwhile, the Pine Ladybird thrives in European and Asian coniferous forests.

Learn more about ten ladybug species in detail in the following sections.

Read more: Ladybug Facts.

10 Types of Ladybugs

Quick links to the different types of ladybugs:

1. Seven-Spotted Ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata)

The Seven-Spotted Ladybug, or Sevenspotted Lady Beetle, originates from Europe and is now a common resident in gardens and parks. Humans have brought ladybugs to various regions to control aphid populations; they feed on aphids while patrolling plant stems and leaves. 

These beneficial insects’ red forewings feature three black spots each, with an additional spot straddling the wings' junction, lending to its common and scientific name.

Moreover, Seven-Spotted Ladybugs start as eggs, transform into larvae, morph into pupas, and finally emerge as adult ladybeetles. During winter, they enter a dormant phase, called diapause, and huddle together in large clusters, waiting for spring.

2. Two-Spotted Ladybug (Adalia bipunctata)

The Two-Spotted Ladybug is native to the Palearctic region, which includes Europe, North Africa, and Northern Arabia. Humans have introduced them to North America's gardens and parks. 

As their name suggests, they feature vivid red or orange shells adorned with two bold black spots. They are also natural predators of destructive pests like aphids and scale insects, which makes them an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.

3. Convergent Ladybug (Hippodamia convergens)

The Convergent Ladybug, or Convergent Lady Beetle, is a native species of North America known for its distinctive markings, two white lines merging on its thorax. These white lines are unique to each individual, while the 12 to 13 black spots on its forewings resemble constellations. 

Like many other ladybug species, they are tiny agricultural soldiers. Their primary food source is aphids and other soft-bodied insects; they are nature's pest controllers. The Convergent Ladybug can live in crop fields, forests, and grasslands as long as there is a plentiful supply of aphids. 

These predatory species lay their eggs on the underside of leaves, often near aphid colonies, which serve as a food source for their young ones. Lady beetle eggs usually are spindle-shaped and yellow to orange-red. 

4. Thirteen-Spotted Ladybug (Hippodamia tredecimpunctata)

The Thirteen-Spotted Ladybug lives in wetland habitats across the North Hemisphere. Its red or orange forewings are adorned with thirteen black spots. 

Their diet helps maintain the balance of gardens and agricultural landscapes. During winter, the beetle hibernates with others of its kind under leaf litter or in other hidden areas, waiting for spring to resume its work.

5. Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)

The multicolored Asian Lady Beetle, or Harlequin, originates from eastern Asia, though humans brought it to the United States and other countries to control pests.

Harlequin ladybugs exhibit three main physical variations. The "succinea" variety ranges from orange to red with up to 22 black spots. 

Conversely, the "conspicua" and "spectabilis" forms are primarily black with two or four red markings, respectively. The pronotum pattern varies, and their undersides are dark, ringed with reddish-brown, matching their brown legs.

Asian Lady Beetles are notorious for being highly invasive. They often overwinter indoors, smell unpleasant when disturbed, and can bite humans. Their threat to native species and the grape industry has led to control methods², including insecticides, trapping, beetle removal, and blocking building access.

6. Fourteen-Spotted Ladybug (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata)

The Fourteen-Spotted Ladybug is native to Europe but can also live in North America and Asia. It has yellow or pale white wings with 14 black spots that often create complex patterns. 

Gardeners and farmers appreciate the insect as a natural pest control agent because it feeds on aphid species. However, it is less efficient than other ladybugs due to its small size and slower feeding habits. 

7. Polished Lady Beetle (Cycloneda munda)

The Polished Lady Beetle is native to North America and is known for its smooth and glossy appearance. Its shell is vibrant and ranges from orange to red, with unspotted forewings, which gives it a minimalist and unique look. 

Unlike other lady beetles, this is a solitary creature found in trees, shrubs, fields, and gardens. It feeds on aphids and other soft-bodied insects, including their eggs, making it a helpful ally to gardeners and farmers.

During the breeding season, the female Polished Lady Beetle lays hundreds of eggs near aphid colonies to feed the larvae when they hatch. 

8. Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus)

The Pine Ladybird has a black coat with four red spots. This beetle has become an adventurous species, crossing continents to live in pine forests and plantations in North America. 

This type of ladybug showcases a nearly circular, glossy shape with a base flange. Typically, its black wing cover displays two prominent red spots and two smaller ones, which may be orange or yellow.

They control scale insects that damage pine trees. Female Pine Ladybirds lay eggs among these pests to ensure their hatchlings have an abundant food source upon hatching. 

9. Mealybug Ladybird (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri)

The Mealybug Ladybird originates from Australia but is now present in parts of Europe and North America. This unique ladybug has a spotless dark brown wing cover, while the rest of the body is orange-brown. It feeds on destructive scale insects, especially mealybugs. 

Moreover, the ladybird larvae are covered in waxy filaments, which makes them look similar to the mealybugs they eat. This disguise also helps them avoid becoming prey for other predators. 

10. Mexican Bean Beetle (Epilachna varivestis)

Mexican Bean Beetles feed on plants, particularly legume crops like beans. They are deceptive, featuring a yellow to copper-brown shell with sixteen black spots. However, they damage crops.

Their life cycle begins as an egg, which hatches into a spiny, yellow-orange larva. The larval stage lasts for some weeks, during which the larvae feed and grow before pupating on the leaves they feed on. 

After another week or two, the adult beetles emerge and start the cycle again. Controlling their population is essential to avoid significant crop damage.