Ladybugs, recognized by their distinctive dome-shaped bodies and vibrant spots, are a familiar sight in gardens worldwide. Also known as ladybird beetles, their diet is often misunderstood, leading to questions about their habits.
The Ladybug’s Preferred Menu
Ladybugs are primarily carnivorous, preferring soft-bodied insects. Aphids are their main food source, and both adult ladybugs and their larval stages are highly effective at controlling aphid populations. Aphids are ideal prey because they have soft bodies, move slowly, and are often found in abundant clusters, making them easy targets. A single ladybug larva can consume hundreds of aphids before pupating, while an adult ladybug can eat thousands in its lifetime.
Beyond aphids, ladybugs also feed on other common soft-bodied insect pests. Their diet includes scale insects, mealybugs, mites, whiteflies, and the eggs of various soft-bodied insects. This broad predatory diet makes them valuable allies in maintaining plant health. When insect prey is scarce, some ladybug species may supplement their diet with pollen, nectar, or honeydew, a sugary substance excreted by aphids.
Ladybugs and Ants: Understanding the Relationship
Ladybugs do not eat ants. Ants are typically too aggressive and well-defended for ladybugs to consider them a regular food source. Unlike the soft-bodied pests ladybugs prefer, ants possess hard exoskeletons and can deliver painful bites, making them unappealing prey.
Ladybugs avoid ants due to the complex relationship between ants and aphids. Ants often “farm” aphids for the honeydew they produce, protecting these aphid colonies from predators like ladybugs. Ants will actively fight off and even kill ladybugs to defend their aphid “livestock.” Ladybug larvae have evolved defenses, such as a woolly coat of wax filaments and chemical secretions, to deter aggressive ants when attempting to feed on aphids. While rare exceptions might occur, ants are not a primary component of a ladybug’s diet.
The True Garden Heroes
Ladybugs play a significant role in gardens and agricultural settings due to their pest control capabilities. By consuming large quantities of common plant pests, they help reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides. Their presence contributes to a more balanced and healthy ecosystem. Both the adult ladybugs and their larvae contribute to this natural pest management.
Gardeners can attract and retain ladybugs by providing an environment that meets their needs. Planting specific flowers offers essential nectar and pollen:
- Yarrow
- Dill
- Fennel
- Cilantro
- Calendula
- Sweet alyssum
- Marigold
- Cosmos
- Sunflowers
- Nasturtiums
- Dandelions
- Elderberry
Ensuring a water source, such as shallow dishes with stones, and avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides are also effective strategies. Providing shelter, like leaf mulch or wood chips, can encourage them to stay and reproduce.