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The ladybugs, also known as lady beetles, are part of the insect family, with over 5,000 species worldwide. What are some interesting facts you might not know about these colorful critters? Let’s find out in this list below.

You might have seen a few of these red insects with black spots in your backyard. Or your child must’ve caught one of them and put them in a jar. However, there are more things you can teach your child about them and other facts that you need to know about these beautiful insects.

Unlike certain insects, ladybugs are little shard-shelled creatures that pose little to no harm to humans. They can be your reliable friend in the garden. They have a unique ability to ward off predators and conceal their wings. They’re truly fascinating in their own right.

Here are fun facts about ladybugs that you need to know:

1 – They’re technically beetles rather than bugs.

Lady beetles or ladybirds are more accurate classifications for these cute insects. They belong to the Coccinellidae beetle family, with mouthparts as fine as a needle.

Bugs take on a liquid diet for the most part, while beetles can live with their plant and insect food. And since these tiny aphid eaters can chew their food, they’re called beetles, but not precisely like bugs.

 2 – Ladybugs are often used for pest control.

The first attempt at using ladybugs to control other pests was during the 1880s after farmers discovered that they could eat aphids and other insects. During that same period, the experiment became successful.

The Rodolia cardinalis, an Australian ladybug, was imported to California to protect their cotton plantations. Although it was expensive, the attempts at curbing the pests paid off, as there was significant growth in the orange crops in California.

However, the subsequent attempts did not work since more than 40 ladybug species were brought to North America. At that point, only four survived and became established. Over time, the ladybugs served many benefits to farmers in terms of controlling the scale of insects.

3 – Ladybug pests also exist.

Although ladybugs aim to reduce the pest population, some species are pests. The Asian or harlequin ladybug, also called Harmonia axyridis, is the result of unintended consequences from the numerous importing and breeding of ladybugs in the continent.

While it may be helpful in the aphids’ decline, these species have become invasive since the native ladybugs have depleted them as well.

4 – They’re dangerous for vineyards.

During the late summer, the harlequins eat fruit, especially ripe grapes, making them dangerous around wineries/vineyards. Winemakers often worry about the ladybug taint, in which the clowns eagerly devour the aphids, but the fruits are repeatedly bitten along with them.

This happens around the harvest season, with ladybugs squirting out the defensive liquid after being frightened, which will taint the grapes. It ultimately affects the taste and smell of the wine, which can have notes of peanuts or asparagus.

5 – They have different colors, too.

Ladybugs are immensely well-known due to their indicative red back with black spots. However, they come in other colors, with over 5,000 species worldwide and 450 in North America. These ladybugs also come in yellow, orange, brown, or pink.

Some of them are even all black. And since not all ladybugs look the same, many have stripes in place of spots on their backs.

6 – Their markings, stripes/spots serve as a warning.

Always proceed cautiously when approaching them, regardless of how colorful and fascinating ladybugs can be. The markings on their backs are for warding off potential predators. They use it to intimidate frogs, birds, and other small mammals who plan on eating them.

As mentioned previously, ladybugs secrete a foul-smelling liquid when they’re frightened. It also helps them get away from predators. Playing dead is another self-defense of ladybugs to avoid being eaten by those predators coming after them.

7 – Ladybugs were named after the Virgin Mary.

During the Middle Ages in Europe, it was a rough time for farmers plagued by pests affecting their crops. After praying to the Blessed Lady, the Virgin Mary, things began to change. Their crops came back to life. Hence they called the red and black beetles “our lady’s birds” or lady beetles.

In Germany, these bugs were called the Marienkafer, meaning “Mary beetles.” The seven-spotted lady beetle was said to be the original one named after the Virgin Mary. They say red signifies her cloak, while black spots represent her misery.

An exciting story about a ladybug is here!

Ladybugs are resilient yet equally amusing creatures that have walked the earth for a long time and managed to thrive. A ladybug children’s book by Caroleann Rice might be a good start for you to introduce the child to the wonderful world of bugs and how they can be interesting, too.