The photo shows two Seven-point Mary beetles (Coccinella septempunctata). Lady bugs and their relatives hibernate in angles, outdoor, in the wilderness or in buildings. In early spring they can be seen in sunny places. In our region there are more than seventy species. Because they prefer aphids and scale insects as nourishment, they can be used for biological pest control. One Lady bug larva can suck 50 aphids daily, a beetle a bit less. This kind of beetles get more than one year old. In spring the females lay their eggs in hundreds on the lower side of leaves. After one week the larvae get out. 1 to 2 months later, they pupate. After 6 to 9 days the young beetles (Imagines) emerge, the new generation. The family of Lady bugs are very productive.

As mostly here are some links to the topic, e.g.:

- 10 Fascinating Facts About Ladybugs (thoughtco.com)

- Ladybugs | National Geographic

- Coccinellidae - Wikipedia

- Aphid Control: How to Get Rid of Aphids on Plants | The Old Farmer's Almanac

- Aphids: How to Get Rid of Aphids Safely | BBC Gardeners World Magazine

- Scale insect | Cottony cushion, mealybugs, sap-sucking | Britannica

Last visit: 14. February 2024