Ladybug (Lady Beetle)
Beneficial insect · Predator
Lady beetles are common beneficial insects found in gardens across the United States. Both adults and larvae help reduce populations of soft-bodied pests. Many species are native, and their numbers often rise when aphids are abundant.
How to identify it
Adults are small, rounded beetles with short legs and dome-shaped backs. Many are red, orange, or pink with black spots, but some species are black, brown, or spotless. Larvae look very different from adults and are elongated, dark, and alligator-like with small spines or bright markings.
How it helps your garden
Lady beetles and their larvae feed heavily on aphids, scale insects, mites, whiteflies, and other small pests. Larvae usually do the most feeding during their development. Adults may also eat pollen and nectar when prey is scarce.
How to attract it
Grow a mix of flowering plants that provide small, accessible blooms through the season. Leave some low vegetation, mulch, and sheltered garden edges where adults and larvae can hide. Provide a shallow water source such as a dish with pebbles or a damp area in the garden. Avoid disturbing every aphid colony at once, since some prey is needed to keep lady beetles in the area.
Tips
Do not mistake the larva for a pest and remove it by accident. Check the undersides of leaves and stems for eggs, larvae, and adults before making any garden decisions. A diverse planting usually supports more steady lady beetle activity than a single crop bed.
General guidance for US gardens. Broad insecticide sprays harm beneficial insects along with pests; for a local pest-management plan, contact your Cooperative Extension office. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.