The Seven-Spot Ladybug is a well-known species of beetle and a welcomed sight in many regions.
This friendly little bug is a beneficial insect that helps keep populations of harmful pests in check.
With a distinctive red and black color pattern, the lady beetle is easily distinguishable from other species of ladybirds.
Learn more about the beauty, roles, and potential risks of this unique species in this Coccinella septempunctata article.
| Characteristics: | |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Seven-spot Ladybug |
| Family Name | Coccinellidae |
| Scientific Name | Coccinella septempunctata |
| Use | Pest Control, Pets |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
| Lifespan | 1 to 2 Years |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
| Adult Size | 5.2-8.6 mm |
| Breeding Type | Egg Layer |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 Gallon |
| pH | 6.5-8.0 |
| Hardness | Moderate |
| Temperature | 66-80°F |
What Are Seven-spot Ladybugs?
Coccinella septempunctata belong to the family Coccinellidae, commonly called Lady Beetles or Ladybirds.
These small red and black beetles are usually a few millimeters in length and as their name suggests, have seven black spots on their bodies.
Seven-spot Ladybugs can be found throughout Western Europe, and parts of Russia, Asia, and North Africa.
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What Do Seven-Spot Ladybugs Look Like?
Coccinella septempunctata is one of the most easily recognizable species of ladybug, identifiable by its distinctive red and black color pattern.
The Seven-spot Ladybug is around 5.2 to 8.6 millimeters in length and just a few millimeters in width.
These charming bugs have six black spots on their backs, with a larger seventh located near the top of the beetle’s wing covers.
The head of this lady beetle is black with a white neck, and its legs are black and yellow striped.
Its legs are lined with tiny hairs and its wings are tough and thin, allowing these cute creatures to fly quickly and efficiently.
Benefits Of Using Seven-spot Ladybugs
Seven-spot Ladybugs provide a wide range of benefits to vivariums, a form of closed habitats designed to contain plants and other organisms.
These bugs not only allow for more diverse and natural ecosystems, but their presence can also help to control populations of pests such as aphids, scales, mealybugs, and other insects.
To ensure that Coccinella septempunctata adheres to their desired roles, they should be added to the vivarium in small groups so that their numbers are maintained and they can reproduce without the risk of overpopulation.
Seven-spot Ladybug Facts
Coccinella septempunctata is a small beetle native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia.
It feeds mainly on aphids, but can also be found snacking on other insects and soft-bodied larvae.
Attracted to flowers and light, these ladybugs typically have a docile temper and can live for up to two years, mating and producing multiple generations during their lifetime.
Habitat
Coccinella septempunctata is a native species to Europe, North Africa, and some parts of the Middle East.
It has also been introduced to many other parts of the world, including the United States, China, Japan, and New Zealand.
The Seven-Spot Ladybug’s optimal habitat consists of very open locations with lots of vegetation. They often live in gardens, fields, woodlands, meadows, and grasslands.
They also search for food and a place to hibernate inside human homes during cold weather.
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Diet
In their natural habitat, Coccinella septempunctata generally eat aphids, mites, and other tiny pests that are harmful to crops.
These ladybirds also occasionally feed on pollen, nectar, and other plant material, but their diet is mainly comprised of insects.
They have very specific feeding habits, generally consuming an amount equivalent to their body weight every day.
Once they spot an insect to feed on, Seven-Spot Ladybugs pounce and begin their feast.
They use their long, protractible, and tubular mouthparts to suck the body fluids out of their prey and refrain from destroying the plant as they only feed on the insects.
This pesticide-free option is beneficial both to the environment and the crops that require pest control.
Temperament
The Seven-Spot Ladybug is often very friendly and unafraid around humans.
People enjoy having them in their gardens and many are known to even pick up and hold the ladybugs without them flying away.
This species of ladybug is an educational tool used to teach children more about the environment.
With their easy-going temperament, Coccinella septempunctata is a great introduction to the world of entomology for people of all ages.
In addition, Seven-Spot Ladybugs are capable of getting along with other animals.
They blend into any shared ecosystem without too much disruption and rarely become a pest.
They are peaceful creatures that can help keep pests away and improve the garden’s biodiversity.
Lifespan
Coccinella septempunctata has a long lifespan for an insect, often surviving up to two years in an undisturbed environment.
During this time, they go through a four-stage life cycle, beginning with the egg, followed by the larva stage, then pupation, and ending in the adult form.
In the first stage, the female will lay her eggs on plants, using her long posterior legs to secure them.
The eggs are small and usually laid in clusters of 15-25.
After hatching, the larvae look very different from the adult form; they are small, dark grey, and covered with small spines.
They feed on mites, scales, and aphids, becoming larger in the process.
After two or three weeks, the larvae will enter the pupation stage and form a cocoon around themselves.
During this stage, the cocoon will darken and harden before emerging as adults.
Adult Seven-Spot Ladybugs generally become active in springtime and search for mating partners and food sources.
Breeding
Like other species of ladybugs, Coccinella septempunctata mates and reproduces by laying eggs.
When the weather is warm and the conditions are suitable, the adults will migrate to new habitats for mating.
To attract a mate, the male will use pheromones to advertise the availability of mates.
After mating, the females will lay eggs on plants where the larvae will feed when they hatch.
Where To Find Seven-spot Ladybugs
Spotting Seven-spot Ladybugs in the wild is relatively easy.
They are found mostly during the warm, sunny months. They love open fields, gardens, and trails.
They are especially adept at staying in flowers, as they love the nectar and pollen they provide.
Find them underneath leaves, on stalks of tall grasses, and sunny porches.
Keep a lookout for their distinctive red and black color pattern and their cluster of seven black spots.
If seeking to buy Coccinella septempunctata, reputable online or local pet & feed stores are typically the best place to find them.
Many also carry food and habitat for the beetles.
It’s helpful to remember that live insects should only be ordered when they are mature for optimal care.
You’ll want to order them in a larger quantity to ensure they have plenty of food and space to roam in their habitat.
Seven-spot Ladybug Care
To properly care for a Seven-spot Ladybug, maintain an outdoor environment free from pesticides, and provide a variety of food sources that will attract them.
Provide shelter in the form of patches of dense vegetation, fallen logs, rocks, and other places they can hide.
Additionally, keep potential predators away, and if taken indoors, keep in a well-ventilated, warm environment with an appropriate food source.
Tank Requirements
The ideal enclosure for Coccinella septempunctata is an invert-friendly terrarium, with an appropriate terrarium substrate or soil to keep them safe.
The perfect water pH for the tank is between 6.5 and 8.0, with a desired hardness of 6-12dH.
When it comes to temperature, Seven-spot Ladybugs prefer temperatures in the range of 65-80°F, with terrarium lighting that provides 8-12 hours of darkness each day.
In addition to soil and comfortable temperatures, providing the tank with some medium or large-sized plants and pieces of vivarium wood, moss, and fir bark for shelter can make for a much happier habitat for the ladybugs.
What Do Seven-Spot Ladybugs Eat?
Feeding Coccinella septempunctata is a quick and easy process that provides them with nutrients and energy to keep them healthy.
To feed your Seven-Spot Ladybugs, you’ll need a variety of different food items.
Here is a list of some of the best options:
- Aphids: These tiny insects are the preferred food of ladybirds, and can be found in most gardens or around plant life.
- Small Insects: Small mites, beetles, and flies are ideal for ladybugs.
- Fruit & Vegetables: Items such as apples, bananas, strawberries, lettuce, and soybeans make great meal options.
- Rabbit or poultry pellets: These can be fed to lady beetles as a wet food supplement.
You should always provide your Seven-Spot Ladybirds with fresh food daily to ensure they have a healthy diet.
Also, make sure that all food items are given in moderation. Enjoy watching C. septempunctata thrive with their new diet!
If you’re looking for a more detailed approach to feeding these critters, be sure to check out my ultimate DIY ladybug food guide. I give a more in-depth explanation of the best foods and my favorite recipe.
Best Tankmates For Seven-spot Ladybugs
The Seven-spot Ladybug is an effective pest controller, but it is important to remember that it does best when kept with compatible tank mates.
Some of the best tankmates for Coccinella septempunctata include other insectivorous ladybugs, such as the Asian Lady Beetle, Spotted Ladybird, Margined Ladybug, and Conjured Ladybird.
These bugs will help to further decrease garden pests, but they are also beneficial because they help to support the natural ecosystem.
In addition to other ladybugs, other beneficial insects such as predatory mites, ground beetles, and lacewings can also live harmoniously alongside Ladybugs.
These insects also help to reduce pest populations by eating aphids, caterpillars, and other garden pests.
It’s essential to remember to keep a balance between beneficial and pest insects, so avoid introducing too many beneficial insects to your habitat.
Conclusion
Coccinella septempunctata is an amazing species of beetle that has many important roles in the ecosystems they inhabit.
Whether through eating garden pests, or spreading their unique color pattern across the land, they are a sight to behold.
If you’d like to get involved in conservation efforts for the Seven-Spot Ladybug, please consider reaching out to any of the organizations mentioned in this article.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about this special creature!
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