What is a ladybird?
Ladybirds are beetles (Order: Coleoptera) and so possess two characteristics that
distinguish them from insects of other orders:
- hard forewings (elytra) that cover the abdomen
and meet centrally;
- biting mouthparts.
The ladybird family within the beetle group is called the Coccinellidae. Coccinellids
can be recognised by a number of general features:
- Small to medium sized beetles (1-10 mm or 1/16 - 3/4 inch long)
- Usually round or oval
- Elytra are often brightly coloured and patterned
- Short, clubbed antennae
- Pronotum (structure between the head and the elytra) is broader
than long; extends forward at the margins and is often patterned
- Short legs that are retractable under the body
- Feet ( tarsi ) that have four segments but the third is so small
that only three are easily visible