The Ladybug

"We are One"
Photo by Jamie Figueroa

Common Name: Ladybug

Family: Coccinellidae

Picture taken at Redwood villas, Clark, Pampanga in September 2016

Don't let your eyes be deceived! That's not just one ladybug, that's two!

About Ladybugs

     Coccinellids are known as ladybugs in North America, and ladybirds in other areas. Entomologists widely prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as these insects are not classified as true bugs.

"No, We're Two!"
Photo by Jamie Figueroa

   The majority of coccinellid species are generally considered useful insects, because many species prey on herbivorous homopterans such as aphids or scale insects, which are agricultural pests. Many coccinellids lay their eggs directly in aphid and scale insect colonies in order to ensure their larvae have an immediate food source. However, some species do have unwelcome effects; among these, the most prominent are of the subfamily Epilachninae, which are herbivorous themselves. Usually, epilachnines are only mild agricultural pests, eating the leaves of grain, potatoes, beans, and various other crops, but their numbers can increase explosively in years when their natural enemies, such asparasitoid wasps that attack their eggs, are few. In such situations, they can do major crop damage. They occur in practically all the major crop-producing regions of temperate and tropical countries.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinellidae

Photo and description by Jamie Figueroa
Credits to Paulyn Alonzo for the camera used