Lady / Leaf Beetles

Lady beetles are also called ladybird beetles or lady bugs. They are in the family Coccinellidae which has around 480 species in N.America. They have polka dot patterns and eat aphids. Most are tiny in size (1/10th of an inch and less) and many defend themselves by secreting a sticky substance containing irritating chemicals when attacked. Some lady beetles have been introduced here from other places. Leaf beetles are diverse, plant eating beetles.They are usually colorful insects. Adults of some jump when disturbed. They are in the family Chrysomelidae which has over 1700 species in N.America. Many species are host specific feeding only on one type of plant. Several species cause much damage to certain crops e.g. cucumbers, potatoes, corn. Larvae are generally grublike and feed on foliage , but larvae of some feed on roots, and a few on leaves.The spotted adults are sometimes mistaken for lady beetles or fungus beetles because of their spots and stripes.Many are similar to long horned beetles but with a shorter antenna (half the body size or less). They are rarely longer than a half inch.

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