# Variegated Lady Beetle (*Hippodamia variegata*) The Variegated Lady Beetle is a small, colorful bug that helps keep gardens healthy by eating pests. They have spots and stripes that make them look very pretty! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Variegated Lady Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Coccinellidae_-_Hippodamia_variegata-2.JPG&width=800) Photo: Hectonichus, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coccinellidae_-_Hippodamia_variegata-2.JPG) ## Appearance The Variegated Lady Beetle has an oval, dome-shaped body, typically red or orange with many black spots that vary in size and number. Its most distinctive feature is an M- or W-shaped black marking behind its head on a white or pale yellow background, which helps distinguish it from other ladybugs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Coccinellidae - **Genus:** Hippodamia ## Interesting facts - Before becoming a beetle, its larva looks like a spiky, pest-eating mini-dragon! - Some lady beetles gather in huge groups, called aggregations, to survive winter's cold! - These beetles can survive extreme cold by producing a natural "antifreeze" in their bodies! - They were named "Our Lady's bird" by farmers grateful for their pest-eating help! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Shield:** Variegated Lady Beetle can release a foul-smelling, yellow liquid from its legs because it contains toxic alkaloids that deter predators. - **Pest Patrol:** Variegated Lady Beetle can devour hundreds of aphids because it has powerful mandibles that help it crush soft-bodied pests. - **Clever Play-Dead:** Variegated Lady Beetle has the ability to play dead (thanatosis) that helps them trick predators into thinking they are not worth eating. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 6-10 mm - **Size:** 3-5 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 3 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These beneficial beetles are insectivores that mostly eat tiny, soft-bodied plant pests like aphids. - **Age differences:** Larvae and adults share similar predatory diets. - **Primary Foods:** Aphids, Scale insects, Mites, Small insect larvae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Cotton Aphid (*Aphis gossypii*) — Keeps aphid populations in check on plants. - **Parasitizes:** Lady Beetle Parasitoid Wasp (*Dinocampus coccinellae*) — A tiny wasp lays an egg inside the beetle's body. - **Depends on:** [Peach Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peach-tree) (*Prunus persica*) — Uses peach trees as a hunting ground for pests. - **Eaten by:** [European Starling](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-starling) (*Sturnus vulgaris*) — Despite defenses, sometimes prey for birds. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Lady beetles are friendly and safe to touch, but be gentle! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Variegated Lady Beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Variegated Lady Beetle's wingspan? 6-10 mm ### How big is Variegated Lady Beetle? 3-5 mm ### How long does Variegated Lady Beetle live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Variegated Lady Beetle fly? 3 km/h ### What does Variegated Lady Beetle eat? These beneficial beetles are insectivores that mostly eat tiny, soft-bodied plant pests like aphids. ### Where is Variegated Lady Beetle usually found? Urban areas ### How does Variegated Lady Beetle hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [East Plymouth Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-plymouth-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Forest Hill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/forest-hill-park) — Ohio, US · Park - [Hudson Falls Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hudson-falls-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Norvin Green State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/norvin-green-state-forest) — New Jersey, US · Forest - [Ridgewood Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ridgewood-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Downtown Seymour Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-seymour-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District [View all places to see Variegated Lady Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/variegated-lady-beetle) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Variegated Lady Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/variegated-lady-beetle)