Do Baby Ladybugs Bite?
Yes, ladybug larvae can bite, though it typically causes only mild discomfort. These bites are generally harmless, feeling more like a small pinch than a painful sting. Ladybug larvae are beneficial insects in gardens, primarily feeding on soft-bodied pests. They do not possess venom or transmit diseases to humans.
Ladybug Life Cycle and Larval Appearance
Ladybugs undergo a complete metamorphosis, a four-stage life cycle that includes the egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Female ladybugs lay clusters of five to thirty tiny, yellow, oval-shaped eggs on plants, often near colonies of aphids or other prey. These eggs hatch into larvae within two to ten days, depending on environmental factors like temperature.
Ladybug larvae have a distinctive appearance, often described as resembling tiny alligators. They possess elongated, segmented bodies, typically dark or black, with contrasting orange, red, or yellow spots or stripes. Many species also have spiky or bristly exteriors, which can deter potential predators.
These larvae grow from less than a millimeter to about 1/2 inch (12-15 mm) in length before they pupate. They have six short legs and specialized mandibles for grasping their prey. Ladybug larvae are found in gardens, fields, and forests, in areas where their primary food sources, such as aphids, are abundant. The larvae molt, or shed their skin, four times as they grow through different developmental stages called instars.
Biting Behavior of Ladybug Larvae
Ladybug larvae are not aggressive toward humans and do not seek to bite. When a bite occurs, it is accidental, perhaps if the larva mistakes human skin for a food source, such as a soft-bodied insect, or out of curiosity. The sensation of a bite is often described as a slight pinch or a pinprick.
These bites rarely break the skin and are considered harmless. Ladybug larvae are carnivorous, with their diet primarily consisting of aphids. They also consume other small, soft-bodied insects like scale insects, mites, and insect eggs, making them beneficial for pest control in gardens. A single larva can consume hundreds of aphids during its developmental stage.
Differentiating From Similar Insects
While true ladybug larvae are not problematic, other insects can be mistaken for them, leading to confusion about biting behavior. The Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a species often confused with native ladybugs and is more prone to biting humans. This species was introduced to various regions to help control agricultural pests.
Asian Lady Beetles vary greatly in appearance, ranging in color from pale yellow to orange or red, and may have anywhere from zero to twenty-two black spots. A distinguishing characteristic of the adult Asian Lady Beetle is a prominent black “M” or “W” shaped marking on the white area behind its head, known as the pronotum. Native ladybugs have a black pronotum with white spots on either side, lacking this “M” or “W” mark.
Asian Lady Beetles are also slightly larger and more oval-shaped than native ladybugs. They are known to swarm indoors in large numbers during the fall seeking overwintering sites, a behavior less common in native ladybugs. When disturbed, Asian Lady Beetles can release a foul-smelling, yellowish fluid from their leg joints, which can stain surfaces. Their bites, while still minor and not breaking the skin, can cause a sharper sensation or mild irritation compared to native ladybug larvae.