These insects are generally called ladybugs or lady beetles. Like all insects, lady beetles have three body regions; a head, thorax and abdomen. To identify species, examine characters on both the pronotum, a plate that covers the thorax, and the wing covers, which protect the abdomen, for spot and color patterns.
Adult: Oval, red to orange. Pronotum black with white along the front edge. Parenthesis-shaped spot on hind portion of each wing cover. Sometimes parenthesis does not completely connect.Larva: Light colored head and pronotum with light markings. Black abdomen with orange markings on abdominal segments one and four.
Female beetles lay clusters of yellow oval eggs on leaves or stems. Eggs hatch within 3-5 days into alligator-shaped larvae that are typically black with light markings and covered with flexible spines. There are four larval instars completed in 10-14 days. Larvae then pupate on plant leaves or stems and adults emerge wtihin 5-7 days.
Aphids, mites, caterpillars, insect eggs, soft-bodied insects.
Can be found on leaves, stems, and flowers; in backyard gardens, crop fields, meadows, and woodlands.
This lady beetle can feed on pollen and nectar in addition to insect prey.
Most states coast to coast between Canada and Mexico.
Native.
Somewhat Common.
3-6 mm.
Red, orange, black.