What Makes Ladybirds Unique?
Ladybirds are beetles, and their bright colours warn predators that they might taste bad or be poisonous. In the garden, however, their primary role is as pest controllers. A single ladybird can eat up to 50 pests per day, including aphids, mealy bugs, mites, and scale insects. Their diet makes them extremely beneficial for keeping pest populations in check.
The Life Cycle of a Ladybird
The life cycle of a ladybird is fascinating:
- Eggs: Ladybirds lay their eggs in clusters, usually yellow or orange.
- Larvae: After about four days, the eggs hatch into larvae that resemble small, black alligators. These larvae are voracious eaters and will continue to feed and grow.
- Moulting: As the larvae feed, their skin tightens, and they shed it in a process called moulting. They will do this four times before they reach the next stage.
- Pupae: Once fully grown, the larvae become pupae. They attach themselves to a secure spot where they remain immobile for a week or two.
- Adult Ladybird: After the pupae stage, the ladybird emerges. The body is initially soft and without spots, but over time, it hardens and develops the characteristic spots, although some ladybirds are unspotted.
How to Attract More Ladybirds to Your Garden
Ladybirds can be a great ally in your garden, but how do you attract them? Here are a few tips:
Provide Food
Ladybirds need a plentiful food supply consisting of insect pests and pollen. Growing plants that attract these insects will help make your garden a welcoming habitat for ladybirds. Here are some plants that can help:
- Herbs: Coriander, dill, fennel, and angelica
- Flowers: Coreopsis, cosmos, tansy, and coreopsis
Ladybirds will happily settle into your garden to feast on pests when these plants provide abundant food sources.
Create a Habitat
Ladybirds also need a place to rest, particularly during the colder months. They like to hibernate together in warm spots during winter, so ensuring that your garden provides a safe place for this is essential.
- Shelter: Ladybirds will seek sheltered locations for hibernation, like garden sheds, under leaf piles, or in sheltered spots in the garden.
- Spring Awakening: When the weather warms up to around 16°C, ladybirds will become active again, resuming their hunt for pests like aphids and mites.
By attracting ladybirds to your garden, you're inviting natural pest control into your space. Providing food, shelter, and a habitat for them to thrive will ensure that they stay around and continue to help protect your plants from harmful pests. Plus, they’re a delight to watch as they go about their important work.
