Ladybug, ladybirds, convergent lady beetles

Coccinellidae family

Ladybugs, ladybirds, or lady beetles, in their many forms, can be very effective in organic pest control, especially against aphids. They may also work against scale insects, mites and mealybugs.

Convergent lady beetles, Hippodamia convergens, especially are available commercially; each can eat about 50 aphids in a day. Their larvae also consume significant numbers of aphids. Note however that many such insects quickly leave their site of release, especially if the pest density is low.

Japanese ladybugs, Harmonia axyridis, destroy aphids in large quantities, though may be a problem when they look for a safe place to overwinter.

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