Several species of ladybird beetles are predators of a number of sorghum insect pests. As a group, adults are semi- or hemispherical insects (Fig.). Depending

Several species of ladybird beetles are predators of a number of sorghum insect pests.

As a group, adults are semi- or hemispherical insects (Fig.).

Depending on species, they are orange, red, tan, gray, or black, and spotted or marked with contrasting colors of red, yellow, black, or white.

Adult Ladybird Beetles

Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics

Lesson 1: Ladybird Beetles

Module VI: Predators and Parasites

Course on Insect Pests of Sorghum





Ladybird Beetle

They are small, varying in length from 1.5 to 6.0 mm (Fig.).

Ladybird beetles are some times confused with certain leaf beetles.





Females lay 200-500 yellow eggs in clusters (Left Fig.).

The larvae are elongate, tapering posterior (Right Fig.). Their general color is dark with bright markings and the bodies are covered with spines.

Ladybird Beetle Eggs

Ladybird Beetle Larva





Both adults and larvae are beneficial.

They are predacious on aphids, scale insects, spider mites, eggs of a number of insects, and small larvae of many pests.

Ladybird Beetle feeding on aphids





Since ladybird beetles reproduce rapidly, and are voracious feeders, they are among the most beneficial of all predators.

Larvae have been observed to devour 11-25 aphids daily, and adults 16-56 aphids in a day.

The Lesson 1 on Ladybird Beetles concludes.

The Lesson 2 is about Syrphid Fly.

Select Lesson 2 from Module VI contents

Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid TropicsModule VI: Predators and Parasites


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Several species of ladybird beetles are predators of a number of sorghum insect pests. As a group, adults are semi- or hemispherical insects (Fig.). Depending