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Western Polished Lady Beetle

Cycloneda polita

The Western Polished Lady Beetle is a shiny little bug that loves to eat aphids! They have bright colors that help them stand out in gardens and fields.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Western Polished Lady Beetle has a distinct, unspotted, bright red or orange domed body. Its head and pronotum (the segment behind the head) feature a unique black pattern resembling a 'W' or 'M' shape on a white background, setting it apart from other lady beetles.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyCoccinellidaeGenusCycloneda
Western Polished Lady Beetle
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Western Polished Lady Beetle

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Did you know lady beetle larvae look like tiny, spiky alligators?

Lady beetles "play dead" by freezing and tucking in their legs if threatened.

Some lady beetles gather in huge groups to stay warm in winter!

Their bright colors are a warning sign to birds: "I taste yucky!"

Special abilities

Ability

Reflex Bleeders

Western Polished Lady Beetle can ooze a bitter, yellowish liquid from its leg joints because of special glands, which helps them deter hungry predators.

Ability

Acrobatic Flyers

Western Polished Lady Beetle has strong wings that help them quickly fly between plants to find food and escape danger.

Ability

Sticky Steps

Western Polished Lady Beetle can cling to smooth surfaces like leaves and stems because of tiny hairs on its feet, which helps them walk anywhere.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
9-14 mm
Size
4-7 mm
Lifespan
30-90 days
Flight Speed
10 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

A tiny hunter, it loves to feast on garden pests like aphids and other small, soft-bodied insects.

Age differences: Larvae are also voracious predators of aphids and other small pests, growing quickly.

Primary Foods

  • aphids
  • scale insects
  • mites
  • insect eggs
  • mealybugs

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Cotton Aphid

Aphis gossypii

A primary food source for both adult and larval beetles.

eaten by

House Wren

Troglodytes aedon

Birds are common predators of lady beetles, despite their defenses.

depends on

Common Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Provides shelter and often hosts the aphids they hunt.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Lady beetles are safe to watch, but don't touch them too much to keep them happy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Western Polished Lady Beetle's wingspan?

9-14 mm

How big is Western Polished Lady Beetle?

4-7 mm

How long does Western Polished Lady Beetle live?

30-90 days

How fast can Western Polished Lady Beetle fly?

10 km/h

What does Western Polished Lady Beetle eat?

A tiny hunter, it loves to feast on garden pests like aphids and other small, soft-bodied insects.

Where is Western Polished Lady Beetle usually found?

Urban areas

How does Western Polished Lady Beetle hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Western Polished Lady Beetle have?

6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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