Friend!
Lady beetles are active hunters of prey and lay their eggs close to the food source. So as friendly gardeners let’s leave prey to attract them to our gardens!
Lady beetle larvae are voracious aphid eaters!
Leave some leaf litter or garden debris for adult beetles to overwinter.
Flowers that also lure adults are dill, yarrow, and coriander.
Lady beetle pupae picture.
Images: Elaine Sedgman
Sources:
Arthurs, S. & Aristizabal, L. “Convergent lady beetle.” University of Florida,
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/BENEFICIAL/convergent_lady_beetle.html, 20 Dec 2021.
Helyer, N., Brown, K., & Cattlin, N. A Color Handbook of Biological Control in Plant Protection, CRC Press, 2003.
Gilkinson, L. Natural Insect, Weed & Disease Control, 2013. www.lindagilkeson
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