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A seven spot ladybird on a flower

Ladybirds

Ladybirds should be the gardener's favourite family of beetles as, with the exception of a couple of species, both adults and larvae are excellent predators of aphids and other pests. The bold colours and markings help to warn off potential predators.

Scientific name: Coccinellidae

Rank: Family

Common names:

  • Lady beetles,
  • Ladybugs

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When they lived

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About

The Coccinellidae are a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds (UK, Ireland, Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, India and Malta) or ladybugs (originating in North America, spread through media to many other parts of the world). When they need to use a common name, entomologists widely prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as these insects are not true bugs. Other names that are less widely familiar include God's cow, ladyclock, lady cow, and lady fly.

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Classification

  1. Life
  2. Animals
  3. Arthropods
  4. Insects
  5. Beetles
  6. Ladybirds

BBC News about Ladybirds

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