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The ladybug is an important beneficial in the garden. If they find a suitable living environment, this has a positive effect on their lifespan, because the beetles can live for several years.
In a nutshell
- Ladybugs often only survive one winter
- on average they live three years
- maximum lifespan of eleven years
- The number of points does not indicate age
- the beetles mainly die in winter during hibernation
Average life expectancy
How old the ladybugs (Coccinellidae) can get depends on many factors. In theory, the beetles can live up to eleven years. However, only a few of these lucky bugs live to this age.
The beetles often do not survive the first year of life. On average, ladybugs live up to three years. So far, however, there are few observations on how many of the beetles reach which age. Under good conditions, such as a protected observation room, the life maximum can be reached without any problems.
Notice: The life expectancy of ladybugs can be increased if they have suitable quarters for wintering. If you do not cut shrubs that have faded in autumn, you offer the insects many opportunities to retreat over the winter.
food
The diet also affects the life expectancy of ladybugs. One reason beetles are valued beneficials in the garden is their almost endless hunger for aphids. The ladybird larvae in particular eat large amounts of pests.
Other food sources of ladybugs:
- scale insects
- spider mites
- bugs
- thrips
- occasionally various mushrooms
- occasionally vegetable food such as pollen
Ladybugs (Coccinellidae) eat lice
In order to offer the beetles an optimal habitat in the garden and thus give them the chance of a long life, you do not have to consciously provide food sources. It is often enough to have a few untouched corners in the garden where nature can unfold. Plants such as yarrow (Achillea millefolium) or meadow knapweed (Centaurea jacea) usually have aphids, which are a food source for the beetles.
predators
The lifespan of the beetles is usually significantly reduced due to predators. Although the beetle can ward off predators with its warning color and also emits a defense secretion that smells unpleasant, this does not always protect the insects.
The main enemies include:
- birds
- lizards
- be crazy
- frogs
- shrews
Ladybird (Coccinellidae) being eaten by garden spiders (Araneus)
There are also insects that feed on ladybugs. These include the ladybird braconid (Dinocampus coccinellae), whose larvae feed on ladybirds as a parasite.
High death rate
Very few beetles survive more than one winter in nature. Beetles have the highest mortality rate in winter. The beetles are susceptible to various infections caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi. Because of this, few beetles survive the winter.
There is also the problem of disturbing the hibernation. This happens when the beetles are accidentally carried into the warm and they wake up from hibernation. Nature itself often ensures a high mortality rate for the beetles. Brief periods of warm weather in spring followed by frost or snow have a similar effect. The beetles wake up, need a lot of energy, and as soon as it gets cold again, they go into hibernation again. They often lack the energy to wake up again from hibernation.
Tip: If you accidentally bring a beetle into the house, put it back outside immediately. Place the beetle in a sheltered spot, such as in a woodpile or under a pile of leaves.
frequently asked Questions
Are there nesting aids that ladybugs accept?No, you don't have to put your own nesting aids in the garden for the beetles. It is enough if you only cut shrubs and faded plants in late spring before they sprout and only then clear away the leaves in the garden. The beetles also like to overwinter in tree cavities or in tall grass.
At what temperature do the bugs wake up?From a temperature of 8°C, the body functions of ladybugs start working again. Therefore, if you accidentally bring a beetle into your home and quickly take it out again, you can stop this process without the beetles having to waste a great deal of resources.
I found bugs in the house, should I take them outside?Sometimes it happens that the beetles choose residential buildings as hibernation quarters. Cracks near doors or windows are places where many bugs can be found. If the beetles disturb the site, carefully collect them and find a dry and sheltered roost for the insects outdoors.
Can you tell the age of ladybugs by their dots?It used to be believed that the age of the ladybugs could be read from the number of dots. However, this is not the case, as the points are retained by the adult beetles.