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Ladybirds (Coccinellidae) occur worldwide with around 6,000 species. Not all species have red elytra with black dots. In Germany alone there are around 100 species of ladybirds. The best known is the seven-spot ladybug. It can be dangerous for the pretty lucky charms in winter when they wake up from their hibernation due to temperature fluctuations and go looking for food. Here is what ladybugs eat and how to feed them if they do.
ladybugs in winter
Aphids and other small pests such as mites and scale insects are the main food source for most ladybug species. With the appropriate supply, the spotted beetles can eat between 50 and 100 aphids per day. Basically, the question of what the spotted beetles eat is a bit more complex. For example, there are species that are more vegetarian by nature. Others feed on fungi, such as powdery mildew, or eat leaves from certain plants.
Ladybugs are cold-blooded animals that need warmth from the outside to reach the right body temperature. When cool temperatures set in in autumn, this signals to the insects that it is time to find a warmer place to spend the winter. To do this, they often congregate in larger groups, as many animals offer better protection from the elements. In addition to the low temperature, the lack of suitable food is also the reason for the hibernation of ladybugs. With their main food source unavailable at this time, they have no choice but to wait.
- Time: varies depending on the weather
- around mid-October
- usually several animals together
by the way: Did you know that ladybugs cannot fly when the temperature is below 13°C?
Feeding during hibernation
In cool temperatures, the insects' metabolism slows down, so they turn into a species rigid fall. During this resting phase, they feed exclusively on the fat reserves that they have eaten up over the summer. Since the beetles dry out quickly during hibernation, they prefer to look for damp, almost wet quarters for the resting phase.
notice: If temperatures rise above 8 °C for a few days, the beetles wake up from hibernation and go in search of food.
interruption of hibernation
As with most hibernating insects, it is common for ladybugs to slowly become active towards the end of winter and forage for food to regain strength. This is perfectly normal. It is less ideal if the animals are too warm weather conditions wake up in the middle of the winter months. In this case, the metabolism is boosted, but the beetles cannot find suitable food to survive. Another cold snap also carries the risk that the animals will freeze to death.
feeding ladybugs
Especially in late autumn, but also in early spring, there is a risk that the Coccinellidae will suddenly wake up from their hibernation. In search of a warmer place, they are therefore often found near houses or in the apartment. So that the animals do not starve or die of thirst, they are in need of assistence. In an emergency, the pretty red beetles can also do without aphids. When food is scarce, predatory species eat plant foods. This is often pollen or fruit. They can therefore feed you some foods that are present in almost every household.
honey
A good source of nutrition in the cold season is honey. If you don't have honey in the house, sugar water is also possible as an alternative. As the name suggests, add some sugar to a small amount of water to create a viscous solution. You can dose the food with a pipette on the leaf of a plant where the animals are staying. It has also proven useful to put a few drops in a bottle cap.
raisins
In winter it is also possible to feed the ladybirds raisins. To do this, soak a few raisins in water for a few minutes and then cut them in half. Since the raisins dry out quickly, they should be replaced with fresh ones every two days. Since raisins also contain a high proportion of sugar, they offer the beetles a good portion of energy and additional vitamins. In general, the little bugs also eat others dried fruit, as long as they have a high water and sugar content.
- cranberries
- figs
- apricots
Homemade fruit jelly
As a little treat, you can add a little fruit jelly or jam to the dried fruit. Homemade products or organic jellies are harmless. Make sure you are using fruit jelly low acidity use. Well suited are:
- strawberries
- peaches
- apricots
- quinces
- plums
notice: On the other hand, cherries, currants and rhubarb are too acidic.
mealworm eggs
Larvae or eggs of smaller insects are a welcome food source for Coccinellidae. If you ask in a specialist shop, you may be able to get some mealworm eggs or other alternatives. Make sure the lining sterilized and you only use species that cannot become a nuisance in the house.
Pureed meat with sugar water
Admittedly, this type of food is a bit expensive for a single ladybug. However, if you have a whole population in the house or garden, you can offer the beetles this food as well.
tree bark or dead wood
If you live near a forest, you can take a piece of dead wood from there. Even in winter, the wood of rotting trees is full of larvae and microorganisms that can serve as a source of food for the ladybugs.
Appropriate feed containers
The food and drink for the Coccinellidae must true to size presented so that the little beetles can take it in as well as possible. Therefore, only give them a few drops or small pieces of the food and change the food more often. The following have proven to be suitable containers:
- Crown caps from beer bottles
- small, flat plates
- small, curved leaves (as bowls)
A weather-resistant “feeder” is easy to build yourself. You can use almost any tubular object, be it metal, plastic or even natural ones like thicker bamboo canes. Cardboard and paper are less suitable, as they soften when it is wet and raining. Place some soaked raisins inside and set the feeding rod to a sheltered spot near the ladybugs. You can also hang the stick. A good feeder offers the ladybugs not only food, but also protection and housing.
Drink
Almost more important than feeding the Coccinellidae is offering them something to drink. The little beetles dry up quickly if they don't find a source of drinking after the rest period. To do this, dose a drop of water with a pipette near the animal. If the ladybug is sitting on a plant, you can spray it generously with the flower sprayer. Alternatively, put a few drops of water on a bottle cap. However, do not fill the jar too high, otherwise the beetle could drown in it. Cotton balls moistened with water or small sponges have also proven useful.
Rest of the procedure
You can feed the pretty beetles indoors in winter, but it is unlikely that the insects will survive until the end of winter. They absolutely need to get back outside to continue their hibernation. So if the animals stray into your home, they're doing them a favor by getting them outside again. However, you should only do this if the temperatures are well above freezing and no severe frosts are to be expected.
- If the beetle is currently active, it will not survive the transition from the warm apartment to the winter cold outside.
- Place the ladybug(s) in a small box filled with newspaper, leaves, or wood shavings. Must in box ventilation holes be large enough for the beetles to be able to get out at any time.
- To bridge the gap, the carton should contain a small portion of food and drink.
- Place the box in a cool but frost-free place that also includes an escape to the outside (open window or door) so that the ladybirds can get outside in the spring.
tip: You can put the carton in the fridge for a few days to induce hibernation. Don't forget the little bugs there though!