Ladybug or beetle of the Virgin Mary - is a small and rather beautiful insect.It looks cute and quirky colorful diversity for centuries attracted the attention of man.In some countries, these beetles linked to many different legends, proverbs, tales and proverbs.So, the topic of this article - ladybugs.What do we know about them?
The ladybugs eat?
Latin name of these beetles - Coccinellidae.Once they have been presented separately in the same family.Life is so-called ladybirds passes in active search of food: they quickly run through the plants and can fly for long distances.They, and their larvae feed mainly on aphids harmful.For this they are called ladybugs aphids.But aphids - are not the only source of power ladybirds.These insects and their larvae consume scale insects, spider mites, scale insects, leaf beetles, small green caterpillars, eggs of other insects, etc.
Entomologists are touched by this creation: the bug at an enviable appetite.In one day ladybug to eat up to fifty aphids and other larvae.How is a ladybug?Of course, putting the larvae.So, for the full development of these creatures need about a thousand aphids!If the larvae of ladybugs do not suffer from lack of food, it is developing very quickly.In one year, it can grow several generations of larvae.And it all depends on the food!
bright colors Why would they?
known that the bright colors of various animals - is patronizing their natural protection from their enemies.Ladybugs - is no exception.If you speak the language of scientists, entomologists, the color of these insects - warning (threatening).She says about their inedible.Probably everyone who has even once held a ladybug in hand, knows that it leaves an orange drop if they inadvertently pressed a finger.This - the poison cantharidin.
For a man of such venom is not dangerous, but the birds, grab the insect, it will burn the throat.The next time will be a feathered think before grabbing horrible!Most likely, the bird will fly around the side of the bright beetles, many of them imitate ladybirds, dressing up in the same attire.So this scarlet bug can be called a small but udalenky.
way, not always ladybugs decorated with dots.Often, the patterns on the backside of them take a very intricate form, such as commas, dashes, and even the letter "m."There are some bugs, whose shell is covered with unpretentious ornament.Not all ladybugs are painted only in red or yellow.In nature, there are also black beetles.Now we should talk about how to develop a ladybug.
Oviposition
soon as spring bugs begin to feed and reproduce.Before you lay eggs, they have plenty of aphids gorge.For one season female ladybug lays from 300 to 1200 of the testicles.Usually they have an oval shape with slightly narrowed ends and yellow.Sometimes there are orange or white eggs.These creatures produce a fairly thick masonry in which the eggs themselves are located close to each other.
Larvae and pupae
Let's learn how to develop a ladybug in the larval stage.Their larvae are more or less kampodeovidnye.They have an elongated shape.Less common - oval or flat.The larvae, which feed exclusively scale insects, body is covered with waxy white filaments.They often have colorful and bright coloring.Drawing on their body may consist of orange, white or yellow spots.The surface of the body is covered with hairs, warts and bristles.
Month larvae can grow up to 8 mm in length.It all depends on the wealth of food.Before you turn into an adult insect - imago ladybug larvae must undergo pupal stage.At this stage, it holds up to 12 days.The rate of development is entirely dependent on the ambient temperature.Adult beetle reaches a length up to 8 mm.
Artificial development
learn how to develop a ladybug in nature, we said above: it lays larvae, which feed continuously and grow.But wildlife - not the only place of their birth.The fact that in some countries these dear bugs grown in special laboratories.They do this in order to combat pests in the fields.For example, it is still done in Japan.
for the full development of these creatures fed larvae of wasps.From this beetles markedly increased fertility (about 10 times).After that ladybugs released in the field.As we have seen, the aim of this procedure - pest control.These industrious insects immediately set to work.In addition, gardeners note that the ladybird in the garden - it is also an indispensable tool in the fight against various pests.All this makes the scarlet beetle beneficial for agriculture.
As winter ladybugs?
for wintering are usually shipped already adult beetles (imago).To do this, they may gather in flocks.This is especially true in the mountains, where they flock to the surrounding lowlands.Often, after a winter favorite food ladybirds - aphid - does not develop immediately, but bugs have needed something to eat.So they continue to sleep in the highlands, where it is cold.They awakened only when summer begins in the lowlands.
great journey
At the moment entomologists have no doubt that ladybugs, like many other insects, fall and spring instigate long journeys.Stories are cases where these colorful beetles like some red grains were strewn streets of London.Scientists then estimated that huge swarms of ladybugs have about 5 billion beetles.
I still do not understand what makes these creatures to overcome such a great distance.
