Gardens, farms, and even urban areas are commonly home to the vibrant two-spot ladybug, also known as the Adalia bipunctata.
These little creatures are both beautiful and beneficial, as they are a helpful form of natural pest control.
In this article, you’ll learn all about the two-spot ladybug, including its anatomy, life cycle, and behavior, as well as interesting facts and tips on how to attract them into your garden.
Read on to learn more about these amazing types of ladybugs!
| Characteristics: | |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Two-spot Ladybug |
| Family Name | Coccinellidae |
| Scientific Name | Adalia bipunctata |
| Use | Pest Control, Pets |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
| Lifespan | 2 to 3 months |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
| Adult Size | 4 to 5 mm |
| Breeding Type | Egg Layer |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 Gallon |
| pH | 6.5 to 8.0 |
| Hardness | Moderate |
| Temperature | 60-80°F |
What Are Two-spot Ladybugs?
Adalia bipunctata is also commonly known as the two-spotted ladybird beetle.
Most people will recognize their vibrant colors of red and black with two spots on their wing cases.
They are part of the family Coccinellidae, which is Latin for “little sphere.”
Ladybugs of this species are commonly found in North America and Europe.
Create the perfect home for your beetle with our Customizable Beetle Enclosure Kits, designed to meet all their habitat needs.
What Do Two-spot Ladybugs Look Like?
Adalia bipunctata can be identified by its bright orange-red shell with two distinctive spots on its back.
Two-spot ladybugs are one of the smaller species of ladybugs, typically ranging between 4-5 millimeters in length, and having a very round shape.
The colors of the two-spot ladybug show no discrimination amongst genders, however, there are some notable differences in their wing patterns.
The male has clear wings, while the female’s wings are more matted-looking.
In the summertime, the vibrant colors of the adult two-spot ladybug stand out against the foliage.
Benefits Of Using Two-spot Ladybugs
Two-spot ladybugs are efficient and beneficial in controlling the population of unwanted pests in gardens and vivariums.
They are natural predators and will feed on aphids and other soft-bodied insects that can cause harm to vivarium plants.
A regular presence of Adalia bipunctata will help keep your vivariums balanced and thriving.
In addition, these ladybugs are quite peaceful and non-invasive, so they won’t disturb other inhabitants of the same vivarium.
Furthermore, they are relatively easy to come by, so stocking vivariums with two-spot lady beetles is relatively inexpensive and can be done quickly.
With these natural pest-control agents present, pest-related issues should become a thing of the past.
Two-spot Ladybug Facts
Adalia bipunctata is a voracious eater and can consume up to 10,000 aphids in its lifetime.
They live for an average of a few months and reproduce by laying their eggs on leaves near a potential food source for their larvae.
These small but mighty bugs have an outgoing temperament and a beautiful bright red and black pattern.
Habitat
The two-spot ladybug is native to Europe and parts of North America.
This species is usually found in moderate temperatures and humid climates.
They prefer forests, meadows, and grasslands since they can easily find their preferred food.
Our Bioactive Beetle Substrate Blend is specially formulated to meet the needs of various beetle species, providing an optimal balance of moisture and nutrients.
Diet
In their natural environment, two-spot ladybugs feed on a wide variety of insects, including aphids, scale, mealybugs, young caterpillars, and other small pests.
Unlike other species of ladybugs, Adalia bipunctata don’t limit their diet to plant life; they will also consume insect larvae, spiders, and the eggs of various pests.
To feed, the two-spot ladybug uses its short, thick proboscis to suck the juices from the pest they have found.
They also use their protruding, tube-shaped tongues to lap up sap from flowers and other plant matter.
With regards to water, Two-spot ladybugs get most of the moisture they need from their food.
However, they have been known to sip on dewdrops from vegetation in times when insects are scarce.
They will also take advantage of rain puddles when available.
Temperament
Adalia bipunctata is not a pest to humans and instead will feed and dwell on flowers and weeds in outdoor areas.
Two-spot ladybugs are also docile with other animals, though they may be unintentionally injured by pets if they don’t sense the danger soon enough.
Because they are so brightly colored, they tend to be very “visible” to animals like birds and lizards.
That said, two-spot ladybugs are also known to be quite agile in the air and are often found near animals that have larger numbers of prey items, offering them a reliable food source.
Lifespan
The two-spot ladybug is a short-lived species, with an average lifespan of around 2-3 months.
However, the average life expectancy may vary based on environmental factors.
In favorable conditions, such as high-humidity areas with ample food sources, the ladybug may live much longer.
The lifecycle of Adalia bipunctata is similar to other species of ladybird.
It begins with the adult ladybug laying yellow, onions-like eggs on leaves or stems.
After a few days, the eggs will hatch into larvae with an oval-shaped body, about 1-2 mm in length.
The larvae will then feed on other pests for around 10-14 days, molting and increasing in size 4-6 times during this period.
Following the larval stage is the pupae stage, which is the resting stage before the two-spot ladybug becomes an adult.
The pupae are about 3-4 mm long and resemble the adult in shape, except with closed wings.
Finally, the two-spot ladybug reaches its adult stage and is ready to begin reproducing and feeding on a variety of pests.
Breeding
The two-spot ladybug’s mating process is quite fascinating.
It is believed that males engage in a sort of courtship ritual before mating with a female, though the exact details are not known.
During the mating process, both the male and female will secrete substances that assist in the reproductive process.
During copulation, the male will transfer sperm to the female in a process known as sperm transfer.
Once the mating process is complete, females will then move on to lay their eggs.
Female ladybugs will usually lay their eggs on the upper parts of the plant, near the stem, protected from most predators.
Females can lay up to dozens of eggs in a single mating session, and the eggs typically hatch after a few days.
Where To Find Two-spot Ladybugs
Finding Adalia bipunctata in the wild is not too difficult in many areas of the world, depending on the climate.
They generally prefer warm, sunny climates with plenty of vegetation, so check your nearby parks, gardens, and fields.
You may also find them near rotting vegetation.
If you can’t find them in the wild, many garden centers and even online stores will have them for sale.
Two-spot ladybugs are quite small, so be sure to use a magnifying glass to identify them correctly.
When purchasing Adalia bipunctata, it is good practice to make sure they come from a reputable seller and have been stored in temperatures that prevent them from desiccation.
It may also be helpful to read up on the vendor’s reviews and conditions of sale before committing to a purchase.
Two-spot Ladybug Care
To care for Adalia bipunctata, encourage them in your garden by providing plants that attract adults, such as daisies, dill, and fennel.
Avoid using any chemical pesticides, as these can kill the ladybugs. If you have a ladybug infestation in your home, relocate them safely to a garden environment outside.
Tank Requirements
Two-spot Ladybugs are relatively easy to care for. The best type of vivarium for them is a mesh terrarium with plenty of ventilation.
The ideal tank environment should have a temperature between 73-75 degrees Fahrenheit, a pH of 6.0-7.5, and a hardness of 5-15 dGH.
It should be decorated with a terrarium substrate, such as coconut fiber, and should have ample climbing branches and hiding spots.
Low-level terrarium lighting is best to emulate the shady areas they love in the wild, and regular misting is necessary to maintain a high level of humidity.
What Do Two-Spot Ladybugs Eat?
Adalia bipunctata relies on a variety of food sources for nutrition and sustenance.
In the wild, they typically feed on small insects like aphids, scales, and mealybugs, as well as pollen, nectar, and plant sap.
If you want to attract ladybugs into your garden or provide them with a food source, you can offer them various food items.
Here is a list of things you can feed two-spot ladybugs:
- Aphids
- Small insects like scale and mealybugs
- Pollen
- Nectar
- Plant sap
- Leafy greens like lettuce, kale, spinach
- Fruit such as bananas, apples, or pear
- Honeydew melon
- Oranges
To feed two-spot ladybirds, simply place small portions of the above-mentioned items onto the ground or a flat surface.
Make sure to check the feeding area daily and replace the food items as necessary.
By offering lady beetles an abundance of nutritious food sources, you can help ensure they remain healthy and happy in your garden or indoor setup.
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 Two-spot Ladybugs
Praying mantises can easily be kept with Adalia bipunctata and provide a great way to naturally control pests.
Praying mantises eat aphids, mites, and other insect pests that can harm plants, and they also hunt and eat two-spot ladybugs.
Lacewings are also great for controlling pests and can help control the population of ladybugs in your tank.
These delicate, attractive insects are known to eat aphids, mites, and other insects that carry disease, leaving the two-spot lady beetles to feed on the remaining aphids.
Other forms of ladybugs, such as the multicolored Asian lady beetle, can also provide beneficial insect control.
These small, colorful insects will feed on aphids, mites, and other pests and can help control the population of two-spot ladybugs in your tank.
Conclusion
Adalia bipunctata are fascinating creatures that have the unique ability to control unwanted pest populations while also providing beautiful colors and designs to gardens.
Not only are they a great addition to any indoor/outdoor space, but they also offer a sense of ecological balance and resilience.
Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into the two-spot ladybug and how to encourage them in your garden.
Create the ideal habitat for your beetles with our species-specific soil mixes and Insect Enclosure Kits. These products provide everything you need for a successful and thriving beetle habitat.
