Coccinellidae is a family of small beetles that vary in size from 0.8 to 18 mm (from 0, 3 to 0.71 inches), and are of a wide range. The family is commonly known as ladybugs in North America, and ladybugs in Great Britain and other parts of the English-speaking world. Entomologists widely prefer the names of Ladybird beetles or lady beetles, as these insects are not classified as true insects.
Most type of coccinellids are usually considered useful insects, because large numbers type feed on herbivorous hoópteros, such as aphids or insect scale, which are agricultural pests. Many coccinellids lay their eggs directly on the encrusted colonies of aphids and insects, in order to ensure that their larvae have an immediate source of food. However, some type have unwelcome effects; Among these, the most outstanding are the subfamily Epilachninae (which includes the Mexican Bean beetle), which are herbivores. In general, the Epilacinas are only small agricultural pests, eating the leaves of grains, potatoes, beans, and several other crops, nevertheless their numbers may explode explosively in years, when their natural enemies, such as the parasite Wasas attacking their Eggs are few. In these situations, they can cause major damage to the crop. They are produced in virtually every major crop-producing regions of temperate and tropical countries.
The coccinellidas are often visibly coloured yellow, orange or red with small black dots on their wing caps, with black legs, heads and antennae. However, there is a great deal of variation in these color patterns. For example, a minority of species, such as Vibidia Duodecimguttata, a type of twelve spotted, has whitish spots on a brown background. The Coccinellidas are found around the world, with more than 6,000 type described.
Most coccinellidas are rounded for elliptical dome-shaped bodies with six short legs. Depending on the species, they may have spots, streaks, or no marks at all. The seven-spotted coccinelids are red or orange with three dots on each side and one in the middle; They have a black head with white spots on each side.
In addition to the usual yellow and deep red, large numbers type of coccinelids are mostly, or completely black, dark grey, gray or brown, and can be difficult to recognize by non-Entomologos as Coccinelids at all. On the contrary, non-entomologists can easily confound large numbers other small beetles for coccinellids. For example, turtle beetles, such as Ladybird beetles, look similar because they are molded so that they can cling to a flat surface so closely that ants and large numbers other enemies cannot grasp them.
Non-entomologists are prone to erroneously identify a wide variety of beetle type in other families such as “ladybirds “, i.e., coccinellids. Beetles are particularly prone to such identification errors if they are detected in red, orange or yellow and black. Examples include the much larger scarlet vine beetles and the spotted type of Chrysomelidae, Melyridae and others. On the contrary, the laity can no longer identify unmarked type of Coccinellidae as “ladybirds “. Other beetles that have a hemispheric defensive form, such as Coccinellidae (for example, Cassidinae), are also often brought to ladybugs.
A common myth, totally unfounded, is that the number of spots on the back of the insect indicates its age. 14 [15] In fact, the underlying pattern and coloration are determined by the beetle type and genetics, and are developed as the insect matures. In some type its appearance is fixed when it emerges from its pupa, although in most it may take a few days for the color of the adult beetle to mature and stabilize. Generally, the ripe color tends to be fuller and darker than the color of the Callow.
Paraplectana Tsushimensis is an Asian spider that mimics ladybugs.
