Ladybird larvae like to eat aphids. Some species also do not disdain spider mites, scale insects and mildew fungi. The beneficial insects are warmly welcomed in the natural garden as a powerful aid in biological pest control. In this guide you can read exciting information about the development from the egg to the finished beetle. You can find out here how you can breed ladybird larvae yourself, what the caterpillars eat and where the busy helpers can be found.
- Ladybird larvae are highly valued beneficial insects for the successful control of aphids and other pests.
- The development from egg to adult ladybird takes place over four stages lasting 30 to 60 days.
- In order to increase the population, hobby gardeners can breed ladybird larvae themselves and release them in the bed or on the balcony.
Ladybird larvae development – overview in words and pictures
When ladybugs wake up from hibernation, they immediately start planning their families. Mated ladybirds specifically search for aphid colonies and lay numerous oval, yellowish eggs there individually or in packages. Thanks to this strategy, food is served to the offspring on a silver platter. Ladybird larvae have to complete four strenuous stages of development before they emerge as colorful beetles. The following overview summarizes the fascinating process:
- 1. Stage: Egg laying at the end of April/beginning of May, mostly on the underside of leaves, on needles, in tree cracks
- 2. Stage: The larvae hatch after 5-10 days and start feeding
- 3. Stage: Larval stage for 30-60 days with 3-4 molts as the main feeding phase with up to 100 aphids per day
- 4. Stage: Pupation for 6 to 9 days as a motionless resting phase without feeding
After pupation, the finished ladybirds emerge with a creamy yellow body color. Only after a phase of hardening do adult ladybirds boast dots on their shiny, red, yellow or black cover wings and reveal to the viewer their species affiliation. The metamorphosis into a beetle does not put an end to their function as beneficial insects. Adult ladybirds also eat lice of all kinds, although with less appetite than their eternally hungry offspring.
The larvae hatch from the eggs after only about 10 days
Explanation of the larval stage
The most important phase for their function as beneficial insects in the natural garden is the larval stage. If the hobby gardener is not aware of key identifying features, ladybird larvae are often eliminated as suspected pests. Despite numerous variations in color and shape, the caterpillars have a certain basic appearance that makes identification easier.
As a rule, the elongated body is widest immediately behind the head. A larva continuously tapers towards the end of the body. Individual body segments stand out prominently and are often covered in thorns or bristles. Strong legs are used to quickly pursue prey and actively search for aphids. Ladybug larvae are often covered with a wax coating that acts as an armor against enemies such as ants, birds or frogs.
The pictures below illustrate the fascinating process from the tiny egg to the finished ladybug.
Breed ladybird larvae yourself – step-by-step instructions
To increase the population in the garden, you can breed and release ladybird larvae yourself. Completely equipped breeding sets from specialist retailers are well suited for this purpose. As a positive side effect, you and your children can experience the development from egg to ladybug up close. The following instructions explain step by step how you can breed ladybird larvae yourself and settle them correctly in the garden:
- Order the breeding set between the beginning of March and mid-September (allow 2-3 weeks lead time)
- Take the rearing vivarium out of the packaging and place it in a bright, warm location at 15°-25° Celsius
- Place the food provided in the freezer until ready to use
- Leave the transparent container closed until the eggs have transformed into 3-4 mm small larvae
- In the 2nd larval stage (after 2-5 days) carefully transfer the larvae into the larger box provided
- Feed hungry larvae for the first time immediately after moving (defrost food in advance)
- Second feeding at the end of the 3rd/beginning of the 4th larval stage at 7-8 mm size
- Important: Briefly open the lid of the breeding box for feeding and close it again immediately
Following the second feeding, ladybird larvae enter the pupation phase. From this point on, the larvae no longer receive food. The metamorphosis from larva to beetle takes an average of one week. During the delicate stage, the motionless dolls must not be removed from their support or touched. Once a beetle has shed its cocoon, it goes out into the wild after 2 days at the latest. Ideal conditions for releasing home-bred ladybugs are temperatures around 18° Celsius and dry weather.
Feeding ladybug larvae
Rearing sets already contain the food that ladybirds need for development from egg to pupation. As a rule, these are mealworms as a replacement for natural food. Alternatively, you can feed your pupils yourself. Now the question arises: What do ladybird larvae actually eat? The following overview sheds light on the darkness:
- Aphids
- Scale insects
- Mites, preferably spider mites
- Larvae of other insects, such as butterflies
- Mildew fungi
- Flower pollen, preferably from marigolds, cornflowers, geraniums and wild herbs of all kinds
If food becomes scarce, ladybird larvae attack weaker members of their species. Caterpillars that have already hatched often cold-bloodedly eat all the eggs they get hold of. You can effectively prevent cannibalism during rearing if you always have frozen mealworms in stock. If you don't have the time to collect lice in nature, feed hungry ladybird larvae with previously thawed mealworms.
Releasing ladybird larvae – tips & tricks
Ladybirds can be released as larvae or adults
It is your personal decision whether you release ladybirds from your own breeding in the larval stage. The advantage of this approach: The caterpillars come into the garden in the most voracious stage of their development to hunt for aphids. Disadvantage of early relocation: You and your children miss out on the fascinating process of pupation. The following tips and tricks reveal how to properly release ladybird larvae:
- Temperature: at least 15° Celsius (ideally 18°-22° Celsius)
- Location: Shrubs, trees, perennials and flowers with aphids
- Transportation: organic box, brush, paper strips
- Distribution quota: 10 ladybird larvae for 10 m², 20 larvae for 20 m²
Ladybird larvae are delicate creatures. Putting them out in the garden requires a lot of sensitivity so that the tiny caterpillars survive the risky procedure in one piece. You can significantly reduce the failure rate by releasing the larvae in cardboard organic boxes. The roof of a box is only opened when the little residents have acclimatised after a few hours and there are suitable conditions at the chosen location. The organic boxes (without contents) are available at Schneckenprofi.de, for example, at a reasonable price.
Excursus
Be careful – ladybird larvae bite
When ladybird larvae hatch, they nibble through the shell with their egg teeth. These tiny teeth are lost in the first larval stage and are not a cause for concern for humans. In exchange for the harmless egg teeth, a solid mouthpart develops, which is primarily used to quickly consume aphids. If ladybird larvae feel threatened by humans, they have no qualms about defending themselves with a powerful bite. Of course, human skin is too thick to suffer serious damage. In the worst case, victims experience slight pain, like after being pricked by a needle. The culprits are usually immigrant Asian lady beetle larvae with a much more aggressive disposition than the good-natured caterpillars of native seven-spot lady beetles.
Where can you find ladybug larvae?
Ladybird larvae are mainly found on plants with aphid infestation
The larvae of seven-spot, two-spot or harlequin ladybirds are enthusiastic predators of aphids. Therefore, keep an eye out for plants with aphid infestation if you want to find the beneficial insects in the wild, in the garden or on the balcony. We have compiled the most common locations where ladybird larvae are found below:
- Woods: roses, elderberries, berry bushes
- Herbs: dill, chives, caraway, coriander, basil
- Weeds: Dandelions, nettles, meadow clover, red clover
- Flowers and perennials: Corn poppy, cornflower, decorative basket, sea lavender, pelargonium
Then there are the specialists in ladybug land who settle on preferred plants. North of the Alps, for example, this is the daring ant seven-spotted ladybird (Coccinella magnifica), which is mainly found near anthills, i.e. in the immediate vicinity of its enemies. The mountain ladybird (Hippodamia notata) is not afraid of heights and often lives in the mountains. Other location experts reveal their preferences by name, such as the heather ladybird (Coccinella hieroglyphica), dry grass ladybird (Coccinula quatuordecimpustulata) or conifer ladybird (Aphidecta obliterata). It's obvious: Where mother ladybug likes to stay, her offspring also hang out.
Identifying common ladybird larvae – 3 types
The ladybird family is represented worldwide with more than 6,000 species and countless subspecies. Even experienced entomologists get dizzy when faced with the impressive diversity of species with thousands upon thousands of pattern variations. Nevertheless, ladybird larvae look very similar, because the tell-tale wing dots as an indicator of species affiliation only appear in the adult ladybird. If you look closely, you will still recognize important distinguishing features. The following table provides important information for identification of the three most common ladybird larval species:
| Seven-spot ladybird larvae | Two-spotted ladybird larvae | Asian ladybird larvae | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Coccinella septempunctata | Adalia bipunctata | Harmonia axyridis |
| Common name | Lucky Beetle | two-point | Harlequin |
| Coloring | grey, grey-blue, brown, yellow | dark gray to light gray | yellow-green, later black to blue-grey |
| Drawing | lateral dark colored spots, colored head | spotless or up to 7 blemishes, dark head | orange spots on both sides, black-gray head |
Reliable, serious statements about the size of ladybird larvae as an identifying feature are not possible. The information in the specialist literature ranges from 1.5 to 15 millimeters. The larvae naturally increase in size and length as they go through the four stages of development.
The Asian lady beetle is increasingly displacing the native 7-spot lady beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) (pictured here)
Special case Australian ladybird larvae
Australian ladybird larvae (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri), popularly known as white ladybird larvae, occupy a special position. As the common name suggests, the bodies are mostly light to white in color, which makes a striking difference to domestic and Asian species.
White ladybird larvae are only viable at temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius and a humidity of at least 50 percent. The larvae's diet includes mealybugs and mealybugs. Aphids, however, are spurned. These characteristics qualify Australian ladybird larvae for biological pest control in living spaces and winter gardens. If cacti, orchids and other houseplants suffer from white deposits, the beneficial insects are happy to take on the problem with great appetite.
Tip
Ants are bitter enemies of ladybird larvae. For an ant colony, the rich excretions of aphids represent an important source of food. For this reason, ant soldiers defend an aphid colony with all their might. The thick waxy shell offers the caterpillars good protection against corrosive formic acid. Nevertheless, the powerful ants always manage to knock ladybird larvae off the leaves or kill them. However, the enemy hordes of ants are fighting a losing battle against adult ladybirds.
Prevent ladybird infestations in good time
High numbers of ladybird larvae in the garden are not always a source of pure joy. In fact, masses of eggs, larvae and pupae herald an autumn beetle plague. In October and November, adult ladybirds gather in large swarms to look for safe winter quarters. Due to a lack of natural refuge, the beetles invade houses, apartments, hallways or roller shutters and become unpopular as a winter beetle plague. The beetles often have to pay for their desperate act with their lives, because dry, warm heating air is usually fatal.
If ladybugs get out of hand, they can become a nuisance
Foresighted hobby gardeners don't let things get that far and offer suitable winter quarters to ladybirds looking for accommodation in late autumn. The following options have proven themselves in gardening practice as recommended places of retreat for the cold season:
- Premium solution: Build your own ladybird house or buy and hang it up
- Natural option: pile up piles of leaves or wood, leave rotten tree stumps lying around
- Simple winter help: stop mowing the lawn in autumn, leave perennial cuttings in the bed
Low temperatures are essential for the survival of ladybirds. In order for the lucky beetles to fall into hibernation, cozy, warm rooms with dry heating air are unsuitable. If ladybugs have found their way into the house, careful relocation outside can be life-saving for the valuable beneficial insects.
Frequently asked questions
How do ladybird larvae develop? How many stadiums are there?
When the tiny ladybird larvae hatch from their egg, they first eat up the nutritious shell with their tiny egg teeth. The caterpillars already have six nimble legs for hunting aphids and other prey. Ladybird larvae go through a total of four stages of development. To reach the next stage, the larvae stop eating for a short period of time. The caterpillars attach their abdomens to a surface and shed their skin. After a molt, ladybird larvae stretch and stretch and in this way grow to a new size. In the fourth and final stage, pupation into the finished ladybird is on the agenda.
Can ladybird larvae bite?
Yes, the larvae of Asian harlequin ladybirds in particular bite when they feel threatened. For this purpose, the caterpillars have powerful mouthparts that they use to eat their favorite prey, aphids and scale insects. Of course, a bite is not painful or even dangerous. The human epidermis is too thick to cause serious damage. Furthermore, ladybird larvae are not poisonous.
We would like to breed ladybug larvae ourselves. How does it work?
You can buy breeding sets for ladybird larvae from specialist retailers. This includes either around 100 eggs or 10 to 15 larvae in the first or second stage of development as well as the food required until they hatch as finished ladybirds. The Hagemann breeding set, for example, includes the larvae of two-spotted ladybirds, which have proven to be particularly voracious aphid hunters. The rearing vivarium included in the set can be reused to breed additional ladybird larvae.
What do ladybird larvae like to eat most?
For a ladybird larva, nothing beats a delicious aphid
At the top of the menu for ladybird larvae are aphids. Other types of lice do not disdain the caterpillars, such as scale insects, mealybugs and mealybugs. The latter are primarily targeted by white ladybird larvae from Australia. If aphids become rare in the garden, the caterpillars expand their range of prey to include bugs, butterfly larvae, insect eggs and soft-shelled insects. In addition, ladybird larvae like to eat pollen from wildflowers and herbs.
Are ladybird larvae harmful?
The extent to which ladybird larvae can be harmful is controversially discussed among experts. Native species such as seven-spot or two-spot ladybirds are above suspicion. However, the massive spread of Asian lady beetle larvae for biological pest control is viewed critically. Since immigration in the 1980s, harlequin ladybirds have settled across Europe. Experts fear that the aggressive immigrants will displace native species in the long term. Field observations and laboratory experiments prove that seven-point and two-point always lose out in confrontations.
We breed ladybird larvae ourselves, which are currently in the second larval stage. The caterpillars no longer eat and hang motionless in the vivarium. Are all the larvae dead?
No, the ladybird larvae are not dead. Rather, the caterpillars are in the transition phase from one larval stage to the next. During this time they do not eat any food and remain motionless on a solid surface. Now the beneficial insects are concentrating on slipping out of their old, far too tight skin as quickly as possible. After molting, they stretch out with pleasure. In their new size, the hungry ladybird larvae actively search for food.
Tip
With a blooming natural garden you send the perfect, non-verbal invitation to ladybugs and their larvae. Where wild herbs, native perennials, fruit and ornamental trees bloom side by side, the spotted aphid killers are not far away. If hobby gardeners consistently avoid pesticides, ladybug ladies will happily consider beds and balconies as nurseries.
