Protect your flower gardens, roses, and trees from Aphids with live Lady Bugs. When released into your garden -preferably at night over a 2 week period - the adult Lady Bugs feed and reproduce by laying eggs. Once these eggs hatch, the hungry little ladies keep your pests at bay!

Features:  

• Environmentally safe pest control  
• Ladybugs feed on Aphids, Mites, Scale, Thrips, Whiteflies and larva and eggs of other pests  
• Eggs are laid amongst Aphid colonies and when hatched eat up to 300 pests per day over a 28 day period  
• Must be kept refrigerated until released
• Excellent beneficial insect
• Hippodamia convergens: North American Native ladybug, does not bite nor go into homes unless you bring it into your home.
• Only eat aphids and other soft-bodied pest insects and insect eggs
• Adults: orange and black beetles that feed on aphids, mites, scales, thrips, whiteflies and beneficial insect food
• Adult ladybugs feed primary at night and lay eggs
• Eggs are white or yellow ovals,  laid in clusters on the undersides of leaves
• Larvae: having no wings, remains on your plants, keeping control of pests
• Larvae: black and orange alligator shaped
• Both adult and larvae stage: great general pest controllers
• Upon receipt of the ladybugs place them in the crisper of the fridge to cool them down and release them in the evening
• Be sure to water the area before releasing the ladybugs, traveling is thirsty work
• Placing a small dish of water in the garden will help keep not only ladybugs but native insects close to plants especially in the heat of the summer
• Adult ladybugs will eat 10 to 25 pests per day and will live 3 to 12 weeks (pending environmental factors)
• Eggs: laid amongst pest insect colonies; once hatched the larvae will eat 50 pests per day
• Look super cute and will bring a smile to your face every day!
  
  

Lady Bug, Lady Bird, Lady Beetle?

When it comes to the tiny, colorful insects commonly found in gardens and fields, the terms "lady bug," "lady beetle," and "lady bird" often arise. These phrases, though sometimes used interchangeably, have distinct nuances and origins.

Lady Bug / Ladybug

In North America, "lady bug" is the most commonly used term. This name evokes a friendly, almost endearing image of the small, spotted insect. Despite the "bug" in its name, lady bugs are not true bugs but rather beetles.

Lady Beetle / Ladybeetle

"Lady beetle" is a term preferred by entomologists and scientists. It is more accurate because it highlights the insect's classification within the beetle order (Coleoptera). This term is gaining traction in academic and scientific communities due to its precision.

Lady Bird / Ladybird

In the United Kingdom and some other parts of the world, these insects are often referred to as "lady birds." This term has historical roots and is tied to the folklore and cultural references in those regions. Despite its poetic charm, "lady bird" is less commonly used in scientific literature.

Are these Asian Lady Beetles? 

No. These are not only North American Lady Beetles; they are Convergent Lady Bugs: THE North American Lady Bug. The Convergent Lady Beetle is native to North America and is easily recognizable by the two converging white lines on the pronotum (the area behind the head). While they might look a bit different from what you're used to, rest assured that they are not the Asian Lady Beetles, which are often considered pests. (Although this reputation may be a little bit unwarranted.)

Convergent Lady Bugs are beneficial for your garden as they feed on aphids and other soft-bodied pests, making them a natural and effective form of pest control. If you have any further concerns or questions about identifying lady beetles in your garden, feel free to ask!

I'm used to seeing bigger ladybugs!

People in Western Canada are accustomed to seeing two-spot and seven-spot lady beetles because these species are common in the region. The two-spot ladybug (Adalia bipunctata) and the seven-spot ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) are both well-known and easily identifiable by their distinct markings.

The two-spot lady beetle is typically red or orange with two black spots, one on each wing cover. This species is favored for its effectiveness in managing aphid populations, making it a common sight in gardens and agricultural fields.

The seven-spot lady beetle is originally from Europe and has been introduced across North America. It has a characteristic pattern of seven black spots on its red or orange wing covers. This species is highly valued for its voracious appetite for pests, particularly aphids, which makes it a natural ally for gardeners and farmers alike.

Their successful establishment and proliferation in the region are due to their adaptability, reproductive success, and the intentional introduction through biological control programs. This makes them more common than the native Convergent Ladybug (Hippodamia convergens), despite the latter's significant role in the ecosystem.