The natural habitat for ladybugs is areas of dense vegetation, such as forests, meadows, weed patches and gardens. Most ladybugs are especially fond of aphids and often live in areas where these plant-eaters are found, such as among roses, oleander, milkweed and broccoli patches.
Ladybugs, also known as ladybirds or lady beetles, live all over the world, except in Antarctica and the far northern regions of North America, Europe and Asia. About 5,000 species of this insect exist.
Female ladybugs typically lay their eggs near groups of aphids. When the larvae hatch, they consume hundreds of the pests. The larvae shed their skins three times before attaching themselves to plants during their pupal stage. In about a week, the adults emerge from the pupa cases.
