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This
part of the website is aimed at younger people
and children. You will find out lots of interesting
facts about ladybirds, and activities you can
do to learn more about them. |
The bright colours warn potential
enemies such as predators that ladybirds are not
at all tasty. This so called "warning colouration" reminds
predators of previous distasteful encounters with
ladybirds!
This is called reflex blood. It is
very strong smelling and contains the toxins which
make ladybirds off putting to so many predators.
Ladybirds do not die after producing reflex blood;
it is part of their warning system.
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Ladybird adults spend the
cold winter months in a dormant state. As
the weather warms up in late February and
March the adults begin to get active and
search for early aphids to eat. The adults
mate in the spring and the females lay eggs
during the spring and early summer. This
generation of adults then dies as the new
generation hatches out. The newly emerged
larvae (immature ladybirds) do not look anything
like their parents; they are black and grub-like.
During this stage they eat lots and shed
their skin three times before pupating. The
pupa stage lasts about a week and from this
the new adult emerges. The new adults must
eat lots of aphids to build up reserves to
see them through the winter months. |
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If you have any questions you would like to ask the Ladybird Survey Team then please e-mail us: ladybird-survey@ceh.ac.uk
You can have a go at designing your very own ladybird. Just print out this simple ladybird shape (PDF format), and let your imagination do the rest!
Why not have a go at the Spotted Game, on the Nature Detectives website? It's great fun! |
