Saving the small things that run the planetLadybirds are one of the UK’s most well-known and distinctive groups of beetles. Their bold colour patterns and charming name have cemented them as a favourite invertebrate for many people. But did you know that there are 46 different species of ladybird in the UK? Or that their name originates from the Middle Ages? There is a lot more to learn about ladybirds than meets the eye!
Ladybirds are members of the Coccinellidae family and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. There are 3,500 collinellid species around the world, and 46 species can be found in the UK, however, only 43 of these species are considered native. The most well-known of the UK’s non-native ladybirds is probably the Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis). Visit our Bug Directory to find out more about the Harlequin Ladybird.
The name ‘Ladybird’ can be dated back to the Middle Ages. Ladybirds were often referred to as ‘Our Lady’s Bird’ or ‘beetle of Our Lady’ after the Virgin Mary, who was originally depicted wearing a red cloak. In America, they are affectionately known as ‘Ladybugs’ and in Germany as Marienkäfer, meaning ‘Marybeetle’ or ‘ladybeetle’.
The Coccinellidae family can be split into two groups: conspicuous ladybirds and inconspicuous ladybirds. Most people in the UK will be familiar with species that you can find in your garden or local park – such as the Seven-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) or Two-spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata). However, you would be forgiven if you came across the species Coccidula rufa or Scymnus nigrinus, and didn’t recognise them as ladybirds, given their smaller and, often, duller appearance. There are 20 species of inconspicuous ladybird in the UK, many of which are under recorded and their life histories less understood than their brighter counterparts.
The bright yellows, oranges and reds typically displayed on a ladybird’s elytra (wing cases) are to warn potential predators of their toxicity. This is a defense strategy known as aposematism. When attacked, ladybirds release a fluid which is rich in toxic alkaloids, a defense mechanism called ‘reflex blood’. There are some birds who are immune to the toxic chemicals, such as swifts and swallows, who feed on ladybirds. This family of beetles can also fall prey to some species of spider and beetles – including other ladybirds!
Did you know that there is a spider named after the ladybird? The Ladybird Spider (Eresus sandaliatus) was given its common name due to the male’s red abdomen with black spots.
Ladybirds are one of our most charismatic bugs and because they are so well-known and loved, they have inspired art and literature over the years. They have been featured in nursery rhymes, such as “Ladybird, ladybird”, and as the symbol of Penguin’s Ladybird Books.
Adult ladybirds and their larvae feed on smaller insects, such as aphids and scale insects which can damage plants and crops, making them a gardener and farmer’s best friend.
Like many other invertebrates, ladybirds are under threat, particularly from:
Provide a safe space for ladybirds in your garden by leaving wild areas of native plants, building log piles, and avoiding the use of pesticides. Adult ladybirds and their larvae are voracious predators of aphids and other small insects – so act as natural “pest” controllers. You could even create a ladybird hotel in your garden.
One of the best ways that you can help ladybirds, is to look for them, learn to identify the species and send your sightings to the UK Ladybird Survey. By building up a database of records, we can better understand how ladybirds are responding to environmental changes like climate change. You can submit your ladybird sightings on iRecord.
Around October, you may find ladybirds entering your home. They are seeking out a warm, dry place to hunker down during the colder months. They will overwinter there until emerging in the spring. If you would rather not have ladybirds in your house, gently relocate them to a sheltered spot outside – a log pile is an ideal place.
If you come across a ladybird in your home in the warmer months, find it a nice aphid-rich plant to relocate it to.
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