Lady beetles (ladybugs) are among the most useful garden predators, and their larvae do most of the work. The best way to keep them is to grow small-flowered plants, tolerate a few aphids, avoid broad-spectrum insecticides and learn to recognize the larvae so you do not squash them. Buying and releasing beetles rarely works, because most fly away.
What do lady beetles look like at each stage?
- Adults: domed, hard, round to oval beetles. Many are red with black spots, but some are black, yellow, pink or orange. Handled, they may release a bad-smelling defensive liquid (University of Minnesota).
- Eggs: yellow, orange or red elongated ovals laid in groups, usually near aphids, mealybugs or scale insects. Minnesota says groups of 5 to 30; Ohio State says clusters of 10 to 50 on leaf undersides.
- Larvae: long, tapered bodies, usually black with white, orange or red patches, sometimes with spines or bumps. Ohio State describes them as looking like tiny black six-legged alligators with orange spots. This stage lasts 2 to 3 weeks.
- Pupae: orange to red with black spots, immobile and shriveled-looking, for 1 to 2 weeks (Minnesota).
Because the larvae look nothing like an adult, they are often mistaken for pests. Missouri Extension advises identifying and protecting them.
How many aphids do lady beetles eat?
Ohio State says one larva eats about 400 medium-sized aphids before pupating, an adult about 300 before laying eggs, and a single adult may eat more than 5,000 aphids in its lifetime. They also eat soft-scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites and some insect eggs. Minnesota says lady beetles are best at controlling small, soft-bodied insects like aphids, and that larvae eat more pests than adults. These figures describe feeding, not a guarantee that your aphids will disappear, and Minnesota gives no aphid count for when action is needed.
What is the life cycle?
Ohio State gives egg to adult in about 3 to 4 weeks, up to 6 weeks in cool spring weather, with 5 to 6 generations a year and females laying 50 to 300 eggs in their lifetime. Minnesota says most adults overwinter in leaf piles, bark, dead trees or buildings, emerge in spring and lay eggs where prey is present. Adults gather in autumn at sites such as the base of trees, fence rows or under rocks, sometimes in large groups (Ohio State).
How do you attract lady beetles?
- Keep flowers blooming. Minnesota says shallow flowers such as alyssum, coriander and dill are especially attractive; Missouri adds yarrow and a diverse mix of flowering plants.
- Tolerate some aphids. Missouri says low early-season aphid numbers feed predators so their populations can build.
- Leave winter shelter. Leave some brush or leaves (Minnesota).
- Limit pesticides. Many insecticides are non-selective and kill lady beetles along with pests; if you must spray, choose a selective product (Minnesota). Missouri warns that broad-spectrum products kill both larvae and adults.
Plan flower plantings with our companion plant finder, and identify other garden pests with the pest identifier.
Should you buy lady beetles?
Usually no. Minnesota says research suggests almost all released beetles leave within a few days, that large aphid outbreaks may need multiple releases of thousands, and that a long-term solution is more sustainable than buying beetles. Missouri explains that most commercial beetles are collected from wild populations while overwintering, and that without suitable habitat they disperse in search of food and breeding sites, so releases rarely lead to meaningful control. Ohio State is more neutral and notes they are available and more likely to stay when prey is plentiful, especially in greenhouses. The practical choice is to build habitat first.
What about the multicolored Asian lady beetle?
Ohio State lists the multicolored Asian lady beetle among exotic species and says it often gathers in large numbers on the sunny side of houses and can be a nuisance indoors. Seal gaps to keep it out and remove any found indoors; they are not harmful to people, so insecticide treatment is not recommended (Ohio State). Minnesota calls it a nuisance in fall and spring and the most common lady beetle in that state.
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Frequently asked questions
Are lady beetle larvae pests?
No. They are the hungriest stage, so do not squash the spiky black-and-orange larvae you find among aphids.
Do released ladybugs stay in my garden?
Rarely. Minnesota says almost all leave within a few days, so plant flowers and tolerate a few aphids instead.
Which flowers attract lady beetles?
Shallow, small flowers such as alyssum, dill, coriander and yarrow, according to Minnesota and Missouri extension.
Reviewed November 2026. Sources: University of Minnesota Extension: Lady beetles; University of Missouri Extension: Lady beetles and aphids, why releases often fall short; Ohio State University Extension: Lady beetles (ENT-45)
