Ladybugs are not harmful to plants

THE ladybug is a common favourite with many people who see this beautiful and colourful little creature as delicate and cute.
But not many are aware of the transformation it undertakes to reach adulthood.
One would not recognise the young version of the bug, according to Bluff bug enthusiast, Warren Dick. He recently gave a talk where he introduced the little bug.

“I was asked to give a talk about “Warren’s Small World” at a local garden club. Among many other small creatures I introduced to the folks, was the ladybug. While most people, especially gardeners, know and love the ladybug, very few people actually know what a baby ladybug looks like. As a result, often these little weird-looking things are killed because people think they may be harmful to their plants,” explained Warren.

“The baby ladybug looks totally different from the beautiful adults that we all know and love so much. Baby ladybugs are just as useful to our plants because they eat a large number of aphids and do not eat any plant material whatsoever. So the next time you see one of these strange looking bugs on one of your prized plants, leave it there. The bug is happy where it is and your plant is more than happy to host it.”

WATCH: The life cycle of the ladybug