There are about 5,000 different species of ladybugs throughout the world. A common species is the two-spotted ladybug (pictured here); it is orange-red with two black spots.

These tiny predators (Family Coccinellidae) are helpful in gardens because they eat many garden pests (including mealy bugs and aphids). Birds are the major predator of the ladybug.

The ladybug, like all beetles, undergoes a complete metamorphosis during its life. The life stages of the ladybug are: egg --> larva --> pupa --> adult.

When not flying, the wings are covered by a pair of modified wings (called elytra). When flying, the elytra open up. Like all insects, ladybugs have: 6 jointed legs (black), two antennae (black), and an exoskeleton made of chitin (a material similar to our hair and fingernails). Their three-part body consists of a head (with the mouthparts, eyes, and antennae), thorax (where the legs and wings attach), and the abdomen (containing the reproductive and most of the digestive organs).

Questions
1. Can ladybugs fly? _________________________

2. What is the name of the ladybug's wing covers? _________________________

3. What are the four stages in the ladybug lifecycle? _________________________

4. What do ladybugs eat? _________________________

5. What is the ladybug's main predator? _________________________