Seven-spotted ladybug
The seven-spotted ladybug, scientifically known as Coccinella septempunctata, is a distinctive round beetle characterized by its orangish-red body adorned with seven black spots. This species, which is one of the larger ladybugs, measures about 1/3 of an inch (one centimeter) in length and features a unique pattern where one spot is located at the thorax, with three additional spots on each wingcase. Often found in temperate regions rich in vegetation, the seven-spotted ladybug is a natural predator of aphids, making it beneficial for farmers looking to protect their crops from these harmful pests.
During spring and summer, these ladybugs emerge from hibernation, mate, and the females lay a significant number of eggs (200 to 1,000) near aphid colonies to ensure a food source for the larvae once they hatch. The larvae are voracious consumers of aphids, consuming hundreds of them before entering the pupal stage, where they undergo transformation into adults. With a life span of two to three years, the seven-spotted ladybug plays a vital role in ecosystems, particularly in agricultural settings, due to its appetite for aphids.
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Seven-spotted ladybug
Unlike the two-spotted ladybug, which varies greatly in appearance, the seven-spotted ladybug always appears the same. Its orangish-red body has a black spot on the line where the two wingcases meet and three more spots on each wingcase. Like other ladybugs, this ladybug is also known as a ladybird or a lady beetle.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Uniramia
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Coccinelidae
Genus: Coccinella
Species: Septempunctata
Like other ladybugs, the seven-spotted ladybug is a round beetle. Its body is orangish-red with seven distinct spots. One of those spots is always located near the seven-spotted ladybug's thorax, or middle section, and is positioned on the line where the insect's two elytra, or wingcases come together. The other six spots are divided equally between the two elytra and form three-spot, triangular patterns on each elytrum.
Growing to about 1/3 of an inch (one centimeter), the seven-spotted ladybug is one of the larger ladybugs. Like other beetles, the seven-spotted ladybug is divided into three main parts. Those parts are the head, thorax, and abdomen, or lower-body section. The head of the seven-spotted ladybug is a tiny black section that contains the antennae, the eyes, and the mouthparts of the ladybug. The seven-spotted ladybug uses its antennae to sense smells and its eyes to see. Like other beetles, the mouthparts of the seven-spotted ladybug are designed for biting, chewing, and piercing.
Behind the seven-spotted ladybug's head is its thorax. This small black body part connects the seven-spotted ladybug's head with its abdomen.
The largest part of the seven-spotted ladybug is its elytra, or wingcases. The elytra of the seven-spotted ladybug are formed by the beetle's front wings. Each elytrum is a hard, smooth, shiny covering that protects the seven-spotted ladybug's delicate rear wings. When the seven-spotted ladybug flies, the elytra lift and the rear wings unfold and carry the ladybug into the air.
The seven-spotted ladybug may be found throughout most temperate regions of the world. It inhabits areas with much vegetation and many aphids. Aphids are tiny, white or yellow, plant-eating insects. Since aphids destroy plants and crops, farmers welcome ladybugs. They feed on these pests which destroy their plants. Like other ladybugs, the seven-spotted ladybug typically hibernates, or rests during the winter. Because of this, it is most often seen during the spring and summer months.
Mating season for the seven-spotted ladybug takes place after hibernation. After mating, the female seven-spotted ladybug deposits fertilized eggs near a colony of aphids. This ensures that the newly hatched young will have something to eat. A single female seven-spotted ladybug may lay 200 to 1,000 eggs. Seven-spotted ladybug young hatch after five to eight days. They begin reproducing 10 to 14 days after hatching.
The seven-spotted ladybug typically spends between 10 and 15 days in its larval form. During this time, seven-spotted ladybug larvae may eat 350 to 400 aphids. Eventually, larval ladybugs enter into their pupal stage. They rest in the soil while their bodies transform into winged adults.
Like other ladybugs, the seven-spotted ladybug has a life span of two to three years.
Bibliography
Bauer, T. "Coccinella Septempunctata." Animal Diversity Web, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Coccinella‗septempunctata. Accessed 1 May 2024.
"Ladybug." National Geographic Kids, National Geographic Society, kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/ladybug. Accessed 1 May 2024.
"7-Spot Ladybird." The Wildlife Trusts, www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/beetles/7-spot-ladybird. Accessed 1 May 2024.