Nine-spotted Lady Beetle
ExploreInsects
Nine-spotted Lady Beetle
Coccinella novemnotata
The Nine-spotted Lady Beetle is a small, round bug with bright colors and nine black spots on its back. These friendly beetles love to eat aphids, which helps keep plants healthy!
Habitat: Urban areas, Gardens
Appearance
The Nine-spotted Lady Beetle has a distinctive oval, dome-shaped body, typically bright orange to red. It is easily recognized by the nine prominent black spots covering its wing covers, with four on each side and one shared at the top center. This pattern clearly differentiates it from many other ladybug species.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyCoccinellidaeGenusCoccinella
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
In winter, many Nine-spotted Lady Beetles gather together for a long, cozy sleep!
Nine-spotted Lady Beetles were once super common but are now incredibly rare in many places!
These tiny beetles can 'taste' with their feet to find the best places to lay eggs!
They don't really chew food; they use special mouthparts to slurp up their meals!
Special abilities
Ability
Stink Shield
Nine-spotted Lady Beetle can release a stinky, bitter fluid from its legs that helps them repel predators when they feel threatened.
Ability
Spotty Signal
Nine-spotted Lady Beetle has bright colors and bold spots that warn predators they taste bad, helping them avoid being eaten.
Ability
Air Hopper
Nine-spotted Lady Beetle can quickly unfurl its hidden wings to fly, which helps them escape danger and find new sources of aphids.
Ability
Feigning Death
Nine-spotted Lady Beetle can tuck in its legs and play dead, which helps them trick predators into losing interest and moving on.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 10-15 mm
- Size
- 5-8 mm
- Lifespan
- 250-365 days
- Flight Speed
- 10 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
These tiny hunters mostly gobble up small plant-eating insects, keeping gardens healthy!
Age differences: Larvae and adults both primarily eat aphids and other small soft-bodied insects.
Primary Foods
- aphids
- scale insects
- mites
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
hunts
Cotton Aphid
Aphis gossypii
Keeps populations of these plant pests under control.
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
A food source for this common garden bird.
eaten by
Flower Crab Spider
Misumena vatia
Can become prey for this camouflaged spider.
Traits
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Aerial
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
These beetles are safe to observe, but it's best not to touch them too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nine-spotted Lady Beetle's wingspan?
10-15 mm
How big is Nine-spotted Lady Beetle?
5-8 mm
How long does Nine-spotted Lady Beetle live?
250-365 days
How fast can Nine-spotted Lady Beetle fly?
10 km/h
What does Nine-spotted Lady Beetle eat?
These tiny hunters mostly gobble up small plant-eating insects, keeping gardens healthy!
Where is Nine-spotted Lady Beetle usually found?
Urban areas, Gardens
How does Nine-spotted Lady Beetle hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Nine-spotted Lady Beetle have?
6
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