Ladybird beetles

Adults:

• 1–7mm long
• round and convex
• varied patterns of orange and black. The mite-eating ladybird is bluish black all over.

Eggs:

• generally yellow and football-shaped
• laid standing on end in groups.

Larvae:

• tapered abdomens, often with prominent tubercles
• more elongated and up to 2mm longer than adults
• usually mostly grey or black with orange markings
• may be covered in spines or white fluffy wax material.

Pupae:

• globular
• similar size to adults
• attach themselves to the plant at their posterior end.

Lacewing larvae are often confused with ladybird larvae. Mealybug ladybird larvae in particular are white and can be easily confused with green lacewing larvae that have been feeding on mealybugs (and camouflaging themselves with mealybug bodies).

Widespread. The presence of adult ladybirds in crops is often an early indicator of aphid activity.

• aphids
• whiteflies
• leafhoppers
• thrips
• mites
• scale insects
• helicoverpa eggs and small larvae

Both adults and larvae are voracious feeders on target species.

After hatching, most ladybird species pass through 4 immature stages before pupating and developing into the commonly recognised round orange beetle patterned with black spots or stripes.

Refer to the impact of pesticides table in the current issue of the Cotton Pest Management Guide for information on ladybird sensitivity to various pesticides.