What Kind of Insect Is a Lady Bug?

Ladybugs belong to a class of the animal kingdom known as Insecta, which is part of a larger group called Arthopoda, or invertebrates. They are part of a number of other insect groups and can be defined by taxonomy, reproduction manner, body composition and other characteristics.

  1. Taxonomy

    • Taxonomy tells you how animals are classified scientifically. The specific species of the ladybug is scientifically known as convergens, which is part of the genus Hippodamia. This genus is part of the family Coccinellidae, or lady beetles, which is part of order Coleoptera, or beetles.

    Reproduction

    • Ladybugs belong to the animal kingdom group that reproduces sexually. Females and males have pheromones that attract a mate, with each specific type of ladybug having a different type of pheromone. Following copulation, female ladybugs can store sperm for up to three months before they lay eggs.

    Diet

    • Ladybugs are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and other animals. Many ladybugs eat other insects that destroy crops, like aphids, so they're often welcomed by farmers. Other species of ladybugs have a diet that can be destructive for farmers, as their diet consists of plants such as beans and squash.

    Defense Mechanisms

    • Ladybugs are also among the group of insects that uses defense mechanisms to protect themselves, rather than fighting or relying on camouflage. Their red color is meant to tell other bugs to stay away, and they secrete a liquid that tastes bad, making them unappealing to larger insects. Ladybugs can also "play dead" when threatened by a predator.

    Location

    • Ladybugs are found all over the world. There are over 5,000 different types of ladybugs, and at least one species can be found in every location, outside of the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle, according to National Geographic.