ladybird

Everyday

A ladybird is a small round beetle, usually red or orange with black spots, that eats tiny insects like greenfly. tree →

In the lessons

In gardens and science lessons ladybirds are helpful insects because they eat aphids (greenfly) that damage plants. Their bright colours warn birds that they taste bad. They go through a life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, adult. In stories and rhymes («Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home») they are lucky and friendly. Phrases: «a seven-spot ladybird», «ladybird larvae».

Examples

• A ladybird landed on my hand. tree →
• Ladybirds eat greenfly, so gardeners like them. tree →
• This ladybird has seven black spots. tree →
• Ladybird larvae look like tiny spiky crocodiles. tree →
• In the US, a ladybird is called a ladybug. tree →
• The ladybird's red colour warns birds to stay away. tree →
• Ladybirds sleep through winter in groups. tree →
• We watched a ladybird climb up a leaf. tree →

Note

Countable. British, Irish, Australian and NZ English say «ladybird»; American English says «ladybug». Myth: the number of spots shows a ladybird's age — no, it shows its kind (species). A ladybird is a beetle, not a bug or a bird.