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With our tips you can observe the development of the ladybug from the larva to the adult ladybug. Then the little lucky charms fly through your garden. We will show you how to breed ladybugs yourself.
In a nutshell
- Insects welcome in the garden
- Beetles feed mainly on aphids and spider mites
- breed beetles yourself with an insect oasis
- The beetle larvae hatch 5-8 days after mating
- after 1-2 months pupation
Ladybugs in the garden
About 70 different ladybird species live in Germany. For gardeners, these serve a special purpose. The little beetles love aphids and spider mites. A single beetle eats over 100 lice a day. For this reason, many garden owners wonder whether they can breed ladybugs to protect against pests.
The vivarium
The vivarium is the center of rearing. You can choose to build the habitat yourself or buy a finished product. With the following materials the independent construction succeeds:
- glass (capacity min. 1 liter)
- insect net
- ladybug
- plants and aphids
- rubber band
- kitchen paper
Breeding ladybugs - instructions
If you want to grow ladybugs step by step into larvae, you can use the following instructions. It is equally exciting for children and adults to observe the development from small larvae to adult insects.
The preparation
First of all, prepare the place of residence for the insects. With a homemade insect oasis, you take the glass and lay out the floor. With folded crepe paper you ensure that a little moisture always remains inside the glass.
Notice: The preparation of insect rearing should be done in spring. March and April are suitable months.
The equipping
To stock the vivarium you need three things: aphids, plants and ladybugs. Lice multiply very rapidly in spring. Infected parts of plants are often found in the home or the surrounding area. Take the leaves and place them in the jar. The beetles can be found near foliage and dense undergrowth. Be sure to carefully place male and female specimens in the jar.
Notice: As an alternative, from May you can collect the insect larvae from leaves or tree trunks.
The closing
The next step is to close the jar. To do this, use the insect net, which you attach with a rubber band. In this way you prevent the beetles from escaping again and also ensure the air supply.
Tip: The location should be warm. Direct sunlight is not recommended.
the grooming
The insects in the jar need food. Make sure that you regularly put plant parts infested with lice in the glass. In addition, the insect oasis needs to be moistened in order to provide the beetles with optimal living conditions.
The wait
After mating, the female lays eggs on the plant leaves. The larvae hatch within the next 5-8 days. 1-2 months later they pupate. During the development of the pupa, the larva molts several times. The growth is uneven. Then the ladybugs hatch, which you can put out in the garden. The development time depends on humidity and temperature in the glass. A few hours after hatching, the beetles get their typical color.
Notice: After the insect larvae hatch, the need for food increases. Provide them with enough aphids, otherwise they will eat each other.
Ladybird larva, Source: Zeynel Cebeci, Coccinella septempunctata - Seven-spot ladybird 01, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
frequently asked Questions
What are the natural enemies of ladybugs?If you breed the little beetles yourself, you don't want to endanger them. However, some enemies cavort in the home garden. The Asian counterparts, which are spreading more and more, make life more difficult for the native beetles. Ants are also natural enemies.
How are ladybugs attracted?If you don't want to breed the beetles yourself, you can attract them with the right plants. Certain plants are predestined for colonization. If you have the following plants in your garden, insects will quickly fly to you:
- Garlic (Allium sativum)
- Dill (Anethum graveolens)
- Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Mint (Mentha)
- Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
The larvae of the insects are very hungry. Depending on the species, up to 3000 lice or spider mites are on the menu. Hence its popularity among gardeners and farmers.
How long does it take for the beetles to complete their training?The journey from larva to fully formed beetle can take up to a year. Usually the insects hibernate only once. Some specimens live longer and survive a second winter.