Natural Enemies of Aphids
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Lady Beetles
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Adult ladybeetle
Photo credit: Susan Mahr
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Ladybeetle eggs
Photo credit: Susan Mahr
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Ladybeetle larva
Click on image to view a larger version
Photo credit: Dan Mahr
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Ladybeetle pupa
Photo credit: Peter Sonnentag, courtesy of Eileen Cullen |
Lady beetles, also called ladybird beetles and, incorrectly, ladybugs, are probably the most commonly recognized group of aphid predators.
Lady beetles are in the order Coleoptera (beetles) and family Coccinellidae (lady beetles). There are many different species with different patterns of red or orange with black spots or markings.
Adult beetles lay yellowish spindle-shaped eggs in clusters. These eggs hatch into somewhat elongate larvae with a pointed hind end. These larvae are also predators. Larvae are usually dark in color with orange, red, yellow, and/or blue spots.
When fully grown, the larvae transform into the non-feeding and immobile pupal stage, from which the next generation of adults will emerge.
Species of ladybeetles
Some of the lady beetle species found in soybean fields are the 12-spotted, or pink lady beetle, Coleomegilla maculata, a native species; the Parenthesis lady beetle, Hippodamia parenthesis, a native species; the Convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens, a native species; the seven-spotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, introduced from Europe, and the Asian multicolored lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis, introduced from Asia.
Click on the small images below to view these aphid species.
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