Pink Spotted Lady Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata)

What Are Pink Spotted Lady Beetles?

Pink Spotted Lady Beetles, scientifically known as Coleomegilla maculata, is a species of ladybird beetle belonging to the Coccinellidae family.

Their common name comes from the distinct pinkish tone found on their black-spotted bodies.

These beetles are found commonly in North, Central, and South America, as well as Europe and parts of Asia.

They feed on different types of organic matter and thus are often referred to as “beneficial bugs” due to the services they provide to farmers and gardeners.

What Do Pink Spotted Lady Beetles Look Like?

Coleomegilla maculata are small beetles measuring about 5 to 7 millimeters in length.

They have a rounded body shape and are usually a pale red or pale pink in color with distinct black spots in the middle of their backs.

The spots are typically arranged in pairs with the hindmost pair usually the largest. 

They have two dark eyes located the furthest forward and two antennae used to help navigate their surroundings.

The female has a unique shape at the end of the abdomen as opposed to the male who has a rounded end.

The females have 6 movable plates on the underside of their abdomens. 

The wings of the Spotted Lady Beetles are covered by a hard wing cover to protect their soft body.

Benefits Of Using Pink Spotted Lady Beetles

Having a Pink Spotted Lady Beetle in your vivarium can add a lot of color and life to your setup.

Not only is this species of beetle visually unique and attractive with its vibrant pink armor, but it can also help keep your miniature ecosystem clean and pest-free.

Coleomegilla maculata feed on aphids and small insects, so they can help naturally control populations of unwanted pests in your vivarium.

Additionally, they are easy to look after and require fairly minimal maintenance.

Pink Spotted Lady Beetle Facts

Pink Spotted Lady Beetles are small beetles and have a pink or orange color with a number of black spots.

They are timid creatures that feed mostly on small insects, aphids, and mites.

Breeding takes place once per year and the female may lay up to 25 eggs in a single batch.

Habitat

Coleomegilla maculata is a species of beetle native to North America and can be found in various parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

It is one of the most commonly found species of lady beetle in North America and is easily recognizable thanks to its distinctive shell coloration.

They inhabit a variety of open habitats, including woodlands, agricultural fields, and even residential gardens.

C. maculata prefer to live in sunny, warm locations and can be found on weeds, trees, and other vegetation.

They often live on flowers and wild grasses, where they feed on small plants and animals. 

Diet

Pink Spotted Lady Beetles feed on a variety of different insects and plants in their natural environments.

This includes aphids, mites, caterpillars, leafhoppers, and mealybugs.

They may also feed on pollen and nectar from flowers.

This wide variety of food gives the beetle a sustainable and healthy diet.

In the wild, Coleomegilla maculata also likes to supplement its diet with decaying plant matter.

This is a great source of nutrition for them, containing essential minerals and nutrients.

Temperament

Pink Spotted Lady Beetles are generally calm and docile insects that don’t display any aggression towards humans or other animals.

This makes them a great choice for households with children and pets.

They tend to avoid direct contact with humans and prefer to stay hidden away in their enclosures during the day.

They also typically shy away from other animals such as cats, dogs, and rodents.

However, they can still make great companions when safely handled and cared for. 

These beetles are active during the evening and nighttime hours, so if you plan on having them as pets, expect most activity to take place in the dark.

And when handling them, it’s best to avoid scaring them or subjecting them to high temperatures; they should feel comfortable and safe.

Lifespan

The lifespan of Coleomegilla maculata can vary depending on environmental conditions, but it typically lives up to a year or two.

These beetles spend the winter as adults, hibernating in sheltered areas such as leaf litter or under stones.

When the weather starts to warm in the spring they become active again and feed on small insects they run across.

From the adult beetles, the eggs are laid in clusters on the leaves of host plants, hatching in two to four weeks.

The larvae then go through three instars before pupating.

Generally, the pupae will remain for two to three weeks before emerging as adult beetles. 

Breeding

Pink Spotted Lady Beetles mate in the spring, with males pursuing females to start the process.

Courtship typically lasts a few hours, during which time the male will make contact with the female, bite her wings, and mate with her.

After mating, females will lay between 25 and 40 eggs in tight clusters on the underside of leaves.

Eggs should hatch within 5 to seven days, after which the larvae will feed on nearby prey.

Depending on the temperature, it will usually take two or three weeks for the larvae to reach adulthood and become capable of reproducing.

Once adults, the beetles will continue to reproduce in the same cycle.

Where To Find Pink Spotted Lady Beetles

Finding Coleomegilla maculata in the wild is fairly easy, as they are quite common in the Northern US and parts of Canada.

They can typically be found on flowers and other plants, often in sunny areas.

In the spring and summer, they will often be found in large numbers, but in the winter they tend to be less numerous.

If you cannot find wild Pink Spotted Lady Beetles, you can also purchase them from various reputable online stores.

They are relatively inexpensive and can be shipped straight to your home.

You may even be able to find them locally at stores that sell pet supplies or live insects.