Are you looking for a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to keep unwanted critters away from your garden?
Introducing the Vedalia Beetle, or Rodolia cardinalis!
These types of lady beetles are natural predators of pesky pests and make a great addition to any garden.
With the right environment and care, they can be a great guard to have on watch for pests.
Read on to learn how to create a Vedalia Beetle-friendly environment and effectively care for them in their natural habitat.
| Characteristics: | |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Vedalia Beetle, Cardinal Ladybird |
| Family Name | Coccinellidae |
| Scientific Name | Rodolia cardinalis, Novius cardinalis |
| Use | Pest Control, Pets |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
| Lifespan | 1 to 3 months |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
| Adult Size | 2.5-4 mm |
| Breeding Type | Egg Layer |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 Gallon |
| pH | 7.0 to 7.8 |
| Hardness | Moderate |
| Temperature | 68-77°F |
What Are Vedalia Beetles?
Vedalia Beetles, formally known as Rodolia Cardinalis, are members of the Coccinellidae family, commonly referred to as ladybugs.
While their appearance may be similar to other species in the ladybird family, they differ in many notable features such as their unusual pattern coloring, and shape.
The beetle’s common name is derived from its first release in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains, which was in response to the infestation of its prey – the Cottony Cushion Scale.
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What Do Vedalia Beetles Look Like?
Rodolia cardinalis are small insects, usually ranging in size from 2.5 to 4 millimeters in length.
They have a bright red or orange-red coloration with black spots covering their bodies.
They have a very distinct shield shape, with large, forward-facing eyes and short antennae.
The wings are tightly packed against the body and may even be absent in some species.
These beetles have long legs that can help with crawling and jumping around.
The elytra, the hard outer shell of the beetle, helps protect the insect and provides defense from predators.
With all of these features combined, the Vedalia Beetle is easily identifiable among other beetles.
Benefits Of Using Vedalia Beetles
Rodolia cardinalis is one of nature’s best pest predators, making them an excellent choice to consider for controlling pesky critters in a vivarium.
Not only do Vedalia Beetles hunt and kill various pests, but they also help improve the quality of the soil.
As they feed on the pests, they release nutrients into the soil that help it stay at the ideal temperature and pH balance for lush, abundant growth.
Furthermore, since the lady beetle is a natural predator of common pests, there is no need for expensive and potentially harmful chemicals.
On top of it all, these friendly ladybugs can quickly repopulate their numbers with minimal effort on your part.
With the proper care and attention, your enclosure can reap the many benefits of having a Vedalia Beetle population!
Vedalia Beetle Facts
Vedalia beetles are small predatory beetles native to Australia. They are also commonly known as Cardinal Ladybirds.
You may also find Rodolia cardinalis scientifically referred to as Novius cardinalis due to the way they were previously known.
They’re natural predators of pesky garden pests yet have an unassuming Temperament.
With an average lifespan of a few months, they usually breed during warm weather with a single female laying hundreds of eggs.
Habitat
Vedalia Beetles usually inhabit dry, mesic, or sandy habitats.
However, they can be found in mild hydrophilic habitats as well.
They can dwell in many different types of plant cover, such as meadows, forests, deserts, and pastures.
This species of beetle evolved from a symbiotic relationship between predators, plants, and other organisms.
They play an essential role in keeping pest populations balanced and protecting plants from harmful insects.
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 its natural habitat, Rodolia cardinalis feeds primarily on pests such as the cottony cushion scale, mealybugs, and aphids.
They are found mainly feeding on the adults and larvae of the cottony cushion scale, which is an insect pest that feeds on a variety of crops.
Due to their habit of feeding on this type of prey, these beetles are seen as beneficial to agricultural production.
The beetles’ appetite for other insects is not restricted to the cottony cushion scale.
Mealybugs, aphids, and other plant-eating insects are also on the menu.
They even can feed on other smaller species of beetles.
While their diet is mainly based on other insects, they also feed on nectar and honeydew from plants.
Temperament
Vedalia Beetles are generally peaceful and will not attack humans or other animals.
Despite their predatory nature, beetles can be handled as they are gentle and usually stay away from human skin contact.
It is good to note that while Rodolia cardinalis are typically harmless, they should never be handled by children as they may possess an allergenic reaction to the beetle’s body fluids.
If you have this type of pet, you will need to perform regular maintenance on the enclosure and monitor the beetle’s interactions with other animals.
To prevent provoking aggressive behavior, any animals that share the enclosure with Cardinal Ladybird should be about the same size and not have similar predatory features.
Remember that the temperament of Vedalia Beetles is dependent on the environment.
If they’re kept in a space that is too crowded, or if they’re disturbed frequently, they will become agitated.
It is best to avoid handling them too frequently and make sure the environment is well-ventilated and stress-free.
Lifespan
Rodolia cardinalis typically live for about 1 to 3 months before dying of old age.
The lifecycle of the lady beetle comprises four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
The eggs are laid in the Spring and Summer months and hatch within a few days, morphing into the larva stage, which is typically where the beetle will spend the majority of its lifecycle.
The larva will feed for a few weeks before maturing to the pupa stage.
The pupal stage can last up to two weeks before molting into the adult beetle.
Breeding
Mating season for Vedalia Beetles typically occurs in late summer.
Males reach full maturity a few weeks before the females and begin to search for mates.
This is when they will emit a pheromone, which attracts females to them.
The mating process usually happens on the leaves of host plants and is complete in approximately two hours.
Once mating is complete, the female uses her ovipositor to lay hundreds of eggs in an array of sites.
These sites are usually bark crevices, under loose scales of tender twigs or leaves, or inside insect galleries in trees.
After the eggs hatch, larvae will feed on destructive pests, usually reaching full maturity within a month.
Where To Find Vedalia Beetles
Rodolia cardinalis can be found in warm, humid, and dry climates, such as those found in Australia.
They can also be purchased from garden and plant stores or ordered online.
When buying Vedalia Beetles, make sure to get them in larvae form to ensure they’re properly cared for.
You may also be able to find them in wildflower nurseries or cultivated gardens.
It’s good to understand that these beetles are not in abundance and can be difficult to find.
But, it’s worth the effort since having Cardinal Ladybirds in your garden will provide natural critter control and improved soil quality.
Inspect the beetle larvae closely before purchasing or collecting them from the wild.
Make sure that they are firm to touch, have no lesions or broken segments, and that the larvae coat is dry and not wet.
Vedalia Beetle Care
When caring for Vedalia Beetles, it is essential to provide them with a variety of plants in a warm, humid environment.
You can also attract more ladybugs by using insect and plant attractants.
Be sure to care for them in an eco-friendly way and provide them with the necessary resources to thrive.
Tank Requirements
The ideal tank environment for Rodolia cardinalis should be roomy and concealed, like a terrarium.
The terrarium substrate should be loamy soil with adequate drainage, and a few pieces of driftwood or rocks in the tank can help create a more natural habitat.
When it comes to water pH and hardness, the environment should not be too acidic or alkaline.
The optimal temperature should range between 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) with good ventilation.
The tank should also be well-lit, with either artificial or natural light, so the beetles can hunt for prey.
Last, but not least, make sure to regularly clean the tank to maintain a healthy environment.
What Do Vedalia Beetles Eat?
Rodolia cardinalis are natural predators of pesky garden pests and should be fed to help them successfully live and reproduce in their natural habitat.
Here’s a guide to what they like to eat:
- Aphids: Richest food source for predatory beetles and a main component of its daily diet.
- Spider mites: an alternate food source to supplement their diet as needed.
- Pollen: An occasional snack food for adult lady beetles.
- Small insects: Small insects such as thrips and caterpillars are also acceptable food sources for Cardinal Ladybirds.
It’s also healthy to make sure that the environment they are living in is conducive to their diet needs.
Provide plenty of aphids in their habitat and regularly monitor the availability of their food sources to ensure they can feed successfully.
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 Vedalia Beetles
Other beneficial tankmates that can be kept with Vedalia Beetles include other types of predatory insects such as large lacewings and common ladybugs.
Lacewings and ladybugs will feed on different types of pests than Rodolia cardinalis, meaning they can keep your garden more pest-free.
Both insects are beneficial predators, and they prefer garden environments that are already inhabited by other predatory insects.
Keeping both in the same areas can help create a balanced and more effective predator environment for controlling pests.
Aphid midges are another beneficial tankmate for Lady Beetles as they feed on smaller pests like aphids, thrips, and other types of mites.
These midges can quickly rid your garden of smaller pests, and their size makes them harmless to larger predators such as the Vedalia Beetle.
In addition, certain smaller species of spiders can be kept with R. cardinalis to further increase the pest control capabilities of your garden.
Certain species of spider will feed on both small and large pests that can do damage to garden vegetation, making them a great addition to any garden environment.
With the right environment and care, spiders, midges, lacewings, and ladybugs can peacefully co-exist with Vedalia Beetles and create a mutually beneficial garden ecosystem!
Conclusion
Whether you’re an experienced gardener, hobbyist, or just getting started with pest control, it’s worth adding Rodolia cardinalis to your arsenal.
With the right environment and care, you can create the ideal habitat for your Vedalia Beetles and enjoy the natural benefits of having them in the 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Vedalia beetle (Rodolia cardinalis) is a small ladybird beetle that is known for its role in the biological control of cottony cushion scale insects, which are agricultural pests that attack citrus trees and other crops.
The use of the Vedalia beetle was important around the world because it effectively controlled cottony cushion scale infestations, which were causing significant damage to agricultural crops, particularly citrus trees, and the beetle provided an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.
The life cycle of the Vedalia beetle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
After hatching from eggs, the larvae feed on cottony cushion scale insects, pupate, and eventually emerge as adult beetles ready to continue the reproductive cycle.